Five jailed for role in distribution of drugs

They were sentenced last month.

Author: Tom FeahenyPublished 5th Aug 2024

Five people have been jailed for their involvement in the distribution of drugs.

Keith Jeremy, Christopher Kennelly, Matthew Cox, Ashley Hutchinson, and Sarah Johnson, were all jailed following a six-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

They were jailed for a combined total of over 35 years.

They were all sentenced on 25 July.

West Midlands Police said:

"Following an investigation from our ROCU (Regional Organised Crime Unit), the group were found to be distributing Class A drugs and were involved in the production of cannabis.

Christopher Kennelly

In February 2021, Johnson, 45, was found to be renting a unit in Hockley, Birmingham, which was being used to grow cannabis with the aid of Kennelly.

Matthew Cox

Jeremy and Kennelly were found to be using encrypted communications platforms, which were used for the commercial supply of Class A drugs including crack cocaine and heroin.

Ashley Hutchinson

After pleading guilty to conspiring to supply Class A drugs, Jeremy, 59, of no fixed address, was jailed for 19 years and six months.

Sarah Johnson

Kennelly, 44, of Springfield Road, Sutton Coldfield, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was found guilty regarding the cultivation of cannabis, and was jailed for 14 years and five months.

Cox, 33, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply controlled drugs, and for possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply, and was jailed for nine years.

Hutchinson, 58, of Mount Wise, Newquay, Cornwall, was jailed for six years and five months after being found to be in possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply, and received cocaine from Jeremy via encrypted communications.

Johnson, 45, of College Road, Kingstanding, Birmingham, was jailed for four years."