A 60-year-old Yeovil man has been jailed for seven years and four months after admitting his involvement in supplying cocaine and cannabis, following a police investigation that uncovered drugs with an estimated value of around £600,000.
Andrew White, of Sherborne Road, Yeovil, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A and class B drugs when he appeared at Taunton Crown Court. He was sentenced on Wednesday, August 26.
Drugs found during raids at two Yeovil homes
The court heard that police executed search warrants at two addresses in Yeovil on July 31 last year. Officers first searched White’s home, where they seized cannabis and thousands of pounds in cash.
A second warrant was carried out at the home of 58-year-old Sally Robinson, of St Georges Avenue, Yeovil. There, officers found three blue drums concealed in a wardrobe beneath a duvet cover. The containers held cannabis flowering heads and several blocks of cocaine.
Police also found a safe containing bags of cocaine at Robinson’s address. The combined drugs recovered during the searches were estimated to be worth around £600,000.
Second defendant given community order
Robinson pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class B drugs, namely cannabis. She appeared at the same court on August 14 and was given a community order.
The case involved allegations of supply rather than simple possession, with White admitting an offence covering both class A and class B drugs. Cocaine is a class A drug, while cannabis is class B under the classifications described in the charges reported to the court.
Police response to Yeovil drug dealing
After White was sentenced, Detective Inspector Tim Seaman, of the Serious and Organised Crime unit, said the warrants followed a proactive investigation. He said police used a range of investigative methods and acted on information provided by members of the public.
“These search warrants are the result of a proactive investigation; we utilise a variety of investigative methods, and act upon information provided to the Police by members of the public, to catch criminals unawares and seize illegal items.”
He said drug use and distribution had a significant effect on local communities and the livelihoods of residents.
“Anti-social behaviour, violence and theft are just a handful of incidents which can be linked to drug misuse and drug dealing.”
Detective Inspector Seaman added that police were committed to tackling and disrupting people who supply drugs for financial gain.
“We are committed to tackling and disrupting criminals like White and Robinson who are intent on supplying drugs and benefiting financially from this.”
The sentencing follows the police raids at the two Yeovil addresses and concludes the court proceedings reported in the case.