'One of the biggest hauls of drugs in recent times' after 120mph pursuit
West Midlands Police are sharing what has been described as 'one of the biggest' haul of drugs in recent times - after a car was stopped in Worcestershire
West Midlands Police are sharing what has been described as 'one of the biggest' haul of drugs in recent times - after a car was stopped in Worcestershire.
The discovery was made of more than £1 million of illicit substances after the driver led officers on a 120mph pursuit on the M5 across the West Midlands.
Their Road Crime Team tried to stop the black Peugeot 3008, which was believed to be linked to drugs, and tried to pull it over - but the 48-year-old driver, David Sherratt, was hitting speeds of up to 120mph on the southbound stretch of the motorway before heading on to the M42 as it was pursued by our officers and the police helicopter.
Sherratt’s vehicle was stung, and lost a tyre, before it was boxed in and Sherratt arrested on the M42 near Alvechurch.
Bags containing kilos of cocaine
In the boot of the car were Sports Direct bags, each carrying 18kg of cocaine.
Police say that the total wholesale value was up to £1.3m.
He told officers that the seizure was “not a bad day.” Sherratt was seen smashing an object against the dashboard.
It was later found to be his phone, in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence.
But when police examined his phone, messages showed he had been involved in the collection of a further 135kg of drugs – worth up to £5m in total.
He would deliver them to customers around the country, earning up to £200 per kilo delivered – and was expecting to earn £20,000 in just six weeks for his work.
At Birmingham Crown Court last Monday, Sherratt, of no fixed address, was jailed for 12 years and nine months after admitting being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possessing the drug with into to supply, and dangerous driving.
Sherratt has 12 convictions for 19 offences dating back to 1995. He was jailed for six years in 2016 for conspiracy to supply class A drugs, and more than four years in 2020 for further drugs offences.
A 'major recovery of drugs'
Det Ch Insp Peter Cooke, of the Regional Organised Crime Unit for the West Midlands, said: “This is a major recovery of drugs that would have ultimately been sold on the streets of the UK and caused untold misery.
“Sherratt’s attempt to get away from our officers was dangerous and put other road users at risk, but great work by the Road Crime Team meant the pursuit was brought to a safe conclusion.
“He played a significant role in the distribution of drugs around the country, but will now be spending years behind bars.”
Road Crime Team officers target criminals involved in car key burglaries and other serious and organised crime.
They use unmarked, high-performance cars – as well as distinctive Interceptors – to pursue and arrest criminals.
They support the work of Operation Target, which is the force's 24/7 mission to disrupt and arrest those involved in guns, drugs, exploitation and more.