Lichfield drug dealer jailed for series of offences
David Tonks was involved in a profitable crack and heroin drug line in Burton-on-Trent and was caught growing more than £30,000 worth of cannabis
A man, who was involved in a profitable crack and heroin drug line in Burton-on-Trent and was caught growing more than £30,000 worth of cannabis, has been jailed.
David Tonks, 45, of Streethay, Lichfield, was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Thursday (11 September) to four-years-and-five-months in prison after he admitted a series of offences, including:
Being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine
Being concerned in the supply of heroin
Being concerned in the supply of a controlled drug of class B – cannabis
Producing a controlled drug of class B – cannabis
Two counts of driving a motor vehicle dangerously
Driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence
Using a motor vehicle without third party insurance.
In November 2020, police searched a house in Lichfield. Tonks was asleep in the bedroom when we entered. An estimated £36,400 worth of cannabis was found growing in the loft which had been converted into a grow.
Tonks was arrested and questioned in custody.
Then, on 12 February last year, officers spotted him driving a car on Fyfield Road. He drove off at speed down Long Street but they caught up with him and put on the blue lights. Tonks slowed down but then suddenly sped off again when it looked like he was going to stop, colliding with an unmarked police car and mounting the curb to escape.
He did this while being disqualified from driving and not being insured.
Major and organised crime officers were back at his door on 25 April, when a series of warrants were carried out in Burton-on-Trent following an investigation into several drug lines operating in the area.
They found £20,000-worth of heroin and crack cocaine collectively during the warrants. It was evidenced that Tonks was involved in the supply of class A drugs for one of these drug lines under investigation.
After putting all of the evidence forward in court, Tonks admitted all of the offences and was jailed.
Police say they're acting robustly against those responsible for high harm crimes in our communities as part of their Operation Target commitment. Between July 2024 and July this year, they arrested more than 400 people.