'Cocky' drug dealers jailed after posing with cannabis and bundles of cash

Incriminating photos were discovered on mobile phones confiscated from the young men

A group of “fledgling” young drug dealers have been jailed after after two of them posed with cannabis and bundles of cash in a series of pictures.

Eugene May-Dyer, Russell Turner, Ian Cunningham and Grant Barnhurst, all from Birmingham, were arrested during a series of raids in the Kings Norton area of the city last year.

As well as seizing almost £1,000 of cannabis, dealer bags and digital scales, police also found mobile phones containing a back catalogue of text conversations between the group discussing drugs - along with a series of incriminating pictures.

In two images, 18-year-old Turner, was captured with bundles of cash in his hands and stuffed in his waistband.

In another, Turner can be seen with 24-year-old May-Dyer, crouching next to dried cannabis leaves scattered across a floor.

All four admitted conspiracy to supply Class B drugs at Birmingham Crown Court.

On Thursday, labourer Turner was jailed for 13 months - including an additional month for breaching an earlier suspended sentence - and May-Dyer for 12 months. Fellow suppliers Cunningham, 24, and 21-year-old Barnhurst, were both handed nine-month sentences.

Detective Chief Inspector Andy Bannister, head of West Midlands Police's Gang Taskforce, said: “These are young men who'd formed a fledgling gang that was on the up we managed to intercept them at an early stage before their criminality could escalate and potentially cause more damage in the Kings Norton community.

“As a police force we are committed to a policy of drugs prevention through education and diversion - especially where young people are concerned - but we will not hesitate to push for custodial sentences if necessary.

“Our communities repeatedly tell us that taking action against drug dealing in communities is a priority for them and urge us to take action; no-one should have to put up with that on their doorstep.

“That's what we've done and four young men who cockily posed for photos boasting of their drug dealing are now paying the price.”