Express & Star

Teenage Wolverhampton drug dealer locked up over 'major' Class A supply

A youth played a significant role in heroin and cocaine dealing within Wolverhampton and far beyond when aged 15 and 16, a judge heard.

Published
An aerial view of Glentworth Gardens in Wolverhampton, where armed police found Jordan Brissett

Jordan Brissett, now aged 18, had his mobile phone seized by armed police during a raid on an address in Glentworth Gardens, Whitmore Reans, where his cousin lived on January 26 2017, the city's Crown Court was told.

The swoop followed reports of an armed man being seen running into the premises, revealed Miss Raj Punia, prosecuting.

The phone had images on WhatsApp and Facebook which linked him to drug dealing.

A black stab-proof vest, digital scales and two more mobiles were found at his home - at a different house in Glentworth Gardens - when it was searched by police on July 19 2017, continued the prosecutor.

Brissett was released on bail.

Messages on the phone referred to GBlock, a gang and the small area around Glentworth Gardens which included an alleyway used by an organised crime group for drug dealing, it was said.

County Lines

Miss Punia maintained the defendant was involved in County Lines cocaine deals and made plans to entice targets from a rival gang into an ambush.

There were also threats that a person would be stabbed for "dissing" others.

Brissett mentioned drug dealing in Burton-on-Trent, an area popular with gangs from Wolverhampton and Birmingham, Stoke and Bridgnorth, the court was told.

The defendant was inadvertently recorded talking about building up a new drug supply line as crack sales hit £2,000-a-week, it was claimed.

He was reinterviewed on June 7 last year about a picture of him clutching a wad of cash, disclosed Miss Punia who added: "He had a significant role and good understanding of the operation at the age of 16."

Mr David Farley, defending, said: "He left school at 13 due to dyslexia and has been used because of his youth after being left open to the local drug dealers. He had no idea of the seriousness of what he was getting into for money and status."

Since then the defendant had made "great advances," displaying artistic and musical talent, said his supervising officer.

Brissett admitted being involved in the supply of cocaine and heroin between June 26 2016 and July 19 2017 and was sent to a Young Offenders Institution for two years.

Judge Michael Challinor told him: "You have been involved in major drug trafficking and gang rivalry.

"You were immersed in this world when you were only 15 and 16.

"You are a talented young man which gives hope you can be saved and turned away from a life of crime."

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.