WEST Midlands Police uncovered more than £1million worth of drugs after a pursuit which ended when the car being chased was stung by officers near Alvechurch.
David Sherratt, in a black Peugeot 3008, hit speeds of up to 120mph as the chase took place along the M5 and onto the southbound stretch of the M42.
The car was believed to be linked to drugs which prompted the pursuit by the Road Crime Team.
The police helicopter was also deployed to keep tabs on the vehicle.
Police deployed a stinger on the Peugeot which lost a tyre before it was boxed in. Sherratt was arrested on the M42 near Alvechurch.
In the boot of the car were Sports Direct bags, each carrying 18kg of cocaine. The total wholesale value was up to £1.3million.
‘Not a bad day’
Sherratt, who told officers the seizure was ‘not a bad day for them’, smashed his mobile phone against the dashboard in a bid to destroy evidence.
When officers accessed the device, they found he had been involved in the collection of a further 135kg of drugs – worth up to £5million 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, 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 intent 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.
‘Putting lives at risk’
Det Ch Insp Peter Cooke, from the West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit, 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, using unmarked, high-performance cars – as well as distinctive Interceptors – to pursue and arrest criminals.
They support the work of Operation Target – the 24/7 mission to disrupt and arrest those involved in guns, drugs, exploitation and more.
