Birmingham dealers given hefty sentences after police shut down drugs network

Shaun Bennett and Patrick McCormack have been jailed for over 15 years for their part in a major drugs operation running out of Birmingham.

Shaun Bennett (L) and Patrick McCormack (R)
Author: Molly HookingsPublished 29th Aug 2024

Two drug dealers from Birmingham have been sentenced to over 15 years between them after suppling class A drugs to the West Midlands.

Shaun Bennett, 32, and Patrick McCormack, 46, ran the network that primarily ran from Kingstanding between October 2022 and August last year.

Bennett, of Hatcham Road, was initially arrested for failing to stop for police and dangerous driving. He was found in possession of a handset used for the 'Jono Line', which was for supplying heroin and cocaine, and a quantity of cocaine.

The phone was examined and police made the connection to McCormack, of Sidcup Road.

As part of an investigation into the pair, police raided a number of places and seized a shotgun, cash, and paraphernalia for the supply of class A drugs.

Detective Sergeant Gavin McGrath said: "Bennett and McCormack were two key suppliers of drugs in Kingstanding.

“We will continue our work in bringing down key players in drugs lines right across the force area.

“We know the misery dealers bring to their surrounding community – and we will continue to break through such operations.”

West Midlands Police said on its website: "The success is part of Operation Target, which sees us take a defiant stand against a range of serious and organised crime offences

"Officers use local intelligence, seize goods, carry out warrants and target offenders as part the ongoing crackdown."

The men both admitted their roles in the drugs network.

Bennett was sentenced to eight years and six months.

McCormack was sentenced to seven years and four months.

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