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Stoke-on-Trent couple jailed for drug trafficking | Stoke-on-Trent couple jailed for drug trafficking |
(about 17 hours later) | |
A married couple who ran an international drug trafficking operation from their home in Stoke-on-Trent have been jailed. | A married couple who ran an international drug trafficking operation from their home in Stoke-on-Trent have been jailed. |
Damon Bolderson and wife Paula funded "a lavish lifestyle" by importing and selling class B and C drugs to Europe and the US, police said. | Damon Bolderson and wife Paula funded "a lavish lifestyle" by importing and selling class B and C drugs to Europe and the US, police said. |
The couple pleaded guilty to 11 counts of possession with intent to supply at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. | The couple pleaded guilty to 11 counts of possession with intent to supply at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. |
Damon, 42, was jailed for eight years and Paula, 38, for four years. | |
Police said Damon started a fake website for a pharmaceutical firm as a cover for the operation which was based at the couple's home in Branston Avenue in Weston Coyney. | Police said Damon started a fake website for a pharmaceutical firm as a cover for the operation which was based at the couple's home in Branston Avenue in Weston Coyney. |
The UK Border Agency seized a number of packages between October 2010 and March 2011 addressed to the couple's house. | The UK Border Agency seized a number of packages between October 2010 and March 2011 addressed to the couple's house. |
'Seemingly normal' | 'Seemingly normal' |
They contained £55,000 worth of Lignocaine and Benzocaine, which are both used as cutting agents in the supply of cocaine, the force said. | They contained £55,000 worth of Lignocaine and Benzocaine, which are both used as cutting agents in the supply of cocaine, the force said. |
Their house was searched by Staffordshire Police in April 2011. | Their house was searched by Staffordshire Police in April 2011. |
Police said a quantity of cocaine and more cutting agents, which had been imported from China, Hong Kong and Pakistan was found. | Police said a quantity of cocaine and more cutting agents, which had been imported from China, Hong Kong and Pakistan was found. |
It said emails were also found detailing the couple's supply of drugs to the Netherlands, Germany and the USA. | It said emails were also found detailing the couple's supply of drugs to the Netherlands, Germany and the USA. |
The force said the couple spent "thousands of pounds" on holidays abroad, a hot tub, designer clothing and a holiday caravan in Wales. | The force said the couple spent "thousands of pounds" on holidays abroad, a hot tub, designer clothing and a holiday caravan in Wales. |
Det Sgt Dave Hughes, said the Boldersons were a "seemingly normal Stoke-on-Trent couple". | Det Sgt Dave Hughes, said the Boldersons were a "seemingly normal Stoke-on-Trent couple". |
"Behind the façade of their unassuming three bedroom semi-detached in Weston Coyney they were in fact running an international drug trafficking business which was making them thousands," he said. | "Behind the façade of their unassuming three bedroom semi-detached in Weston Coyney they were in fact running an international drug trafficking business which was making them thousands," he said. |
"There is no doubt that disruption of this activity will have a knock on effect on cocaine dealers' business, as they simply cannot operate without this cutting agent." | "There is no doubt that disruption of this activity will have a knock on effect on cocaine dealers' business, as they simply cannot operate without this cutting agent." |
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