A MAN has been jailed for producing crack cocaine in Worcester, following an investigation under Operation Blade.

Wesley Usherwood, 20 of no fixed abode and Shanice Gelly, 22 of Kings Road, Sutton Coldfield appeared at Worcester Crown Court for sentencing, after being stopped in Ombersley Road, Worcester.

Police found over £18,000 of class A drugs and £1790 of cash.

Usherwood had previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin, production of crack cocaine and obstructing a constable.

Gelly, had pleaded guilty to permitting a premise to be used for production of crack cocaine, possession of criminal property and obstructing a constable.

On November 23 last year, Usherwood and Gelly were stopped in a vehicle on Ombersley Road, Worcester.

They both provided false names, addresses and dates of birth to officers.

Gelly was found in possession of £1,045 in cash and a large canister of CS gas was found within the vehicle along with several mobile phones.

Both were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A controlled drugs and possession of a section 5 firearm.

Once in custody, they were identified and officers attended Gelly's home address, where Usherwood had also been staying, to complete a search of the premises.

A large quantity of class A controlled drugs were seized along with mobile phones.

Several kitchen items were also seized as it was suspected they were used to produce crack cocaine, and were later found to contain traces of class A drugs.

The drugs were forensically identified as a combination of cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin and were valued by a drug expert witness at over £18,000. A further sum of cash, approximately £1790 was also seized from the address.

Following interview both were charged and attended court the following day where they were remanded in custody.

Usherwood was serving a suspended sentence for drug supply at the time of the offence.

Following a guilty plea from both defendants, Usherwood was sentenced to four years in prison for this offence and the suspended sentence from a previous offence, Gelly was given a community order.

Investigating officer, detective constable Joshua Hunt from West Mercia Police's Operation Blade team said: "Today's sentencing is a positive reflection that individuals convicted of drugs offences will be dealt with through the court system, to ensure the public are protected from the harm caused by the use and dealing of these substances.

"County-line drug dealers coming from big cities do so because they think Worcester will be easy pickings, but they couldn't be more wrong.

"We have a dedicated team of determined detectives working full-time to investigate offences, and so far over 50 people have been arrested under Operation Blade.

"We really want the local community to work with us by reporting any suspicious activity, even information that may seem insignificant could just be the final part of the jigsaw for us.

"If you have any information relating to drug offences in your local area, please report it to West Mercia Police on 101 or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

There will be an updated version of this story written by our court reporter.