Jail for dealer in police drug bust

JAILED . . . heroin dealer Shaun Watton

An Oldham heroin dealer has been jailed as a result of Operation Font.

Shaun Watton (39) of Spring Street was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment at Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday.

Watton pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to supplying heroin and one offence of offering to supply heroin, after a covert police operation found him dealing around his home, where drug users would call asking him for the drug.

Operation Font was a covert drugs operation launched in December when 100 police officers on dawn raids smashed their way into 12 houses to make 14 arrests.

Ten people were subsequently charged with more than 50 offences, one person was cautioned for possessing a Class B drug and three others were bailed.

Police recovered a large quantity of amphetamines, crack cocaine, cannabis and heroin, along with £2,300 cash, and seized seven vehicles.

Det-Con Robert Carroll said: “I cannot emphasis enough how vital the information provided by the community is to police in the fight against crime. Local residents have been fantastic and we really need this co-operation to continue.

“I want to reassure residents we are listening to what you tell us and this sentence will not be the last relating to this type of activity.

“We will continue to target those individuals who think that they are above the law, specifically those who look to benefit from the sale and supply of class A drugs.”

Anyone with information about drugs or any other offences should ring the police on 0161-872 5050 or the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800-555 111.