Third man behind drugs plot jailed

A Leicestershire man, who was part of a trio behind a plot to supply up to £1 million-worth of cocaine across the country, has today (Friday 13 March) been jailed after pleading guilty to his part in the business-like operation.

Shane Whitfield pleaded guilty in November last year to conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs, and conspiracy to produce cannabis.

At Leicester Crown Court 35-year-old Whitfield was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Whitfield, of Turner Rise in Oadby, was one of three men who were identified as the brains behind the operation.  All three men were part of an organised criminal network, dealing drugs and making money from the misery caused by illegal drugs.

Last month Ashley Boyd, 34, of Chapel Close, Houghton on the Hill, Leicestershire, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs, and conspiracy to produce cannabis.

Clint Jones, 42, of Market Garden Close, Thurmaston, Leicester, was sentenced to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.

A further 20 people were also sentenced last month for their part in the drugs operation and were jailed for nearly 90 years between them.

Officers from East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), supported by teams from across the force, executed more than 50 warrants in the summer of 2019.  The enforcement activity took place across Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Liverpool.

Detective Inspector Lee Hunt, from EMSOU, said:  “Whitfield was one of three men behind the million pound operation, all those involved chose to supply Class A drugs and had no qualms about doing so.  They profited from their crimes and their actions could have led to the breakdown of families and relationships.

“Operations such as these will continue.  We know this is never ending battle and there is always someone ready to take the place of those behind bars.”

 

Shane Whitfield