London Men Jailed For Drugs Offences

Three men from east and south-east London have been jailed for over 30 years, and two remain to be sentenced, for the possession and supply of heroin and cocaine.

The group was convicted yesterday after a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

The first three men were sentenced while the other two will be sentenced later for the possession and supply of drugs with a street value of £11,750.

Ashley Martin Huggins, 23, and Shayne Wellington, 25, both from east London, were found guilty of possession of a loaded firearm, possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs and possession of criminal property and were both sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.

Leon Ziya-Williams, 25, from south east London, was found guilty of possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs and possession of criminal property and sentenced to 7 years and 5 months imprisonment.

Jacque Michael Skinner, 21, from east London, was found guilty of possession of a loaded firearm, possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs and possession of criminal property and is due to be sentenced on 15 March.

Jerome Michael Quintyne, 23, also from east London, was found guilty of possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs and possession of criminal property and is also due to be sentenced on 15 March.

On Friday 27 August 2010, Skinner was seen by police leaving a unit in Cable Street in east London, and was stopped outside. Officers from Tower Hamlets Robbery Task Force then forced entry at the premises.

Inside they found four men - Huggins, Wellington, Ziya-Williams, and Quintyne.

On searching the address it was evident that this was a drugs factory used to cut and mix Class A drugs before being distributed. At the address, officers found Class A drugs including cocaine and heroin with a street value of £11,750 along with over £10,000 in cash.

In the rear of the unit, officers found a bullet proof vest and a gun cleaning kit. In the loft area a loaded handgun and ammunition was discovered.

Detective Sergeant Ross Morrell from the Serious Acquisitive Crime Unit at Tower Hamlets said: "The removal of this firearm from the streets of London may well have saved lives.

"The drugs trade is a violent, dangerous and lucrative business. This result is further evidence of the continued commitment by Tower Hamlets Police to impact upon the supply of drugs and the use of firearms by criminals in London."

(BMcN)