TWO crack cocaine dealers, including one from Coventry, have been sentenced following an investigation into organised crime operating in Bedworth.
Dominic Allsopp from Coventry and Thomas Green-Wardale who lived in Bedworth were both identified as being involved in the production and supply of crack cocaine in the area.
They were identified through their use of bulk text messages received by 21-year-old Lesedi Bopape, a third member of the group who was also charged with drug offences.
Bulk texts were frequently being sent from a phone using a sim connected to 20-year-old Green-Wardale indicating new stock was available.
Previous investigations had revealed the group were using the homes of vulnerable drug users in Bedworth to prepare the crack cocaine.
Allsopp, 22, was found to have been in regular contact with Green-Wardale on a series of burner phones, and the pair were arrested on March 2 at their homes.
Bopape was arrested in Exhall after a Bedworth house he was seen leaving was searched, which led to cocaine being seized.
He was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of cocaine with intent to supply and offering to supply crack cocaine.
Allsopp has been jailed for 28 months after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine, while 21-year-old Green-Wardale, 21 received a suspended 18-month sentence after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
Police found a small bag of white powder which tested positive for cocaine, cannabis, over £250 in cash and a small, green-handled axe in Allsopp’s property when it was searched.
Various blades were also found at Green-Wardle’s residence, including a lock knife, an axe, and a Kirpan – a long knife traditionally carried by members of the Sikh faith, a religion he does not identify as.
Det Con Dan Lydster said: “These convictions are one more positive step in our ongoing efforts to drive organised drug dealing operations out of Bedworth.
“These individuals have a substantial impact on their community – both through the supplier of harmful and highly addictive substances, and their involvement in the exploitation of vulnerable persons for their own profit.”
