Jail for courier stopped on M5
Scott Franks, from St Austell in Cornwall, was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court today. Franks’ car was stopped on the M5 in Somerset on Wednesday 23 March by Avon and Somerset Police officers. Inside the car they found a block of heroin, as well as a 1kg bag of cutting agent.
The 50-year-old Franks had been acting as a courier for an organised crime group. He was transporting drugs between the Devon and Cornwall and Merseyside areas. He had made numerous trips over a six-month period.
Franks was jailed for 4 years after being convicted of possession with intent to supply a class A drug. He was also convicted of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug.
Speaking after the sentencing, Det Sgt Jonathan Atkin said: “This offender was involved in a county lines drugs operation and was instrumental in facilitating the supply of heroin over a significant period of time. Criminal operations like this one are corrosive and cause untold harm to communities, often exploiting vulnerable people in the process. We worked in partnership with our colleagues at the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, and we’re grateful for their expertise and support.”