A suspected drug dealer from Coventry who was stopped in a Staffordshire town and searched has been charged with drug dealing and attacking an officer. Benjamin Shaw, of St George’s Road was stopped in Hamble in the Belgrave area of Tamworth on Wednesday (May 8).
He is alleged to have been carrying wraps of crack cocaine and heroin, a mobile phone and cash which officers seized. In the process of the stop-and-search Shaw is also alleged to have attacked an officer who ‘suffered minor injuries’.
He has now been charged with possession of crack cocaine and heroin with intent to supply. And with assaulting an emergency worker.
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A spokesperson for Staffordshire Police said: “A man has been charged after officers found crack cocaine and heroin during a stop-and-search in Tamworth. Benjamin Shaw, 31, from Coventry, has been charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, possession with intent to supply heroin and assaulting an emergency worker.
“It comes following a stop-and-search in the Belgrave area on Wednesday (8 May) where officers seized wraps of crack cocaine and heroin, a mobile phone and cash.
“An officer was assaulted and suffered minor injuries. They remained on duty and did not need any treatment. Shaw is due to appear at the North Staffordshire Justice Centre on Friday (May 10).
“We’re continuing to proactively target serious and organised crime across Staffordshire, working with the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) as part of Operation Target.”
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Detective Superintendent Nicki Addison, from the force’s Major and Organised Crime Team, added: "Serious and organised crime is seen nationally as one of the biggest threats to communities and vulnerable people because of its links to exploitation, serious violence and sophisticated criminal networks, which often have international reach.
"We are committed to proactively targeting those responsible and working alongside partners to help those who are most at risk of being exploited by these groups who seek to profit from damaging our communities.
"Through proactivity, education and enforcement, we will continue to target these criminal groups and make sure we prioritise the crimes which matter the most to local communities."
