THREE men involved in a drugs line between Somerset and Manchester have been handed prison sentences.

Officers conducted a drugs bust in Bridgwater on February 22 where heroin and cocaine was seized from a hotel room after police were made aware that Curtin Coburn, who was wanted by police in Manchester, was staying at the hotel.

Coburn initially claimed he was staying in the room alone and provided a false name, but a search of the hotel found crack cocaine and heroin, both with an estimated street value of almost £1,200.

“Zack Wildman was understood to have been staying with Coburn in that same room but was not present at the time of the arrest and therefore further enquiries were carried out to locate him,” an Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said.

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“The next day, officers gained entry to a property in Riversmead Walk where he was believed to be, and found him in the company of Karl Richardson and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be identified because he is not an adult.”

Police discovered mobiles phones at the property – including one directly being used in the drugs line.

Police found enough evidence on the device to connect all four people with the supply of illegal drugs.

The following sentences have now been handed down by the court:

• Coburn, 25, of Urmston, has been given a seven-year prison sentence after he was found guilty of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin), as well as being in possession of a controlled class B drug (cannabis). He was also given a consecutive four-year prison sentence for separate matters.
• Richardson, 36, of Timperley, has been given a prison sentence of two years and three months after admitting being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin).
• Wildman, 27, of Partington, given a three-year prison sentence after admitting being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin).

A 17-year-old, who also admitted being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin), as well as being in possession of a class A drug (heroin) with intent to supply, will be sentenced at a youth court at a future date.

Detective sergeant Stuart Hassell said: “The sentences given are a reflection of how seriously these offences are treated by the courts.

“Three men are now behind bars for their role in this corrosive and illegal enterprise and we’ve stopped a quantity of dangerous drugs from causing misery in our communities.”