Search for
Search for
Search forBristol drugs trio jailed after undercover police operation
Monday, August 04, 2008, 08:00
Claire Milkins, Colin Edmonds and Matthew Hudd were arrested after an undercover agent was supplied with a total of 85.93g of cocaine, worth more than £6,000 on the street.
Single mum Milkins, 33, of Kildare Road, Knowle, was a barmaid at a Bristol pub and was said to have become a “fixer” for the deals after the agent struck up a rapport with her at work.
Edmonds, 24, of Springleaze, Knowle, was the woman's ex partner and directly supplied the officer together with Hudd, 24, a tenant of his at the same address.
Milkins, Hudd and Edmonds all pleaded guilty to a charge of conspiracy to supply cocaine.
Milkins was jailed for three years and nine months, Edmonds was jailed for four years and six months and Hudd was jailed for four years and three months at Bristol Crown Court.
They had all served 134 days in custody on remand which will count towards their prison terms.
When Hudd was rumbled by police he arranged for associate, Mark Boyles, to supply the officer instead.
Boyles, 27, of no fixed abode, was jailed for three-and-a-half years on Thursday for three offences of supplying cocaine.
Simon Burns, prosecuting, said told how Milkins, Edmonds and Hudd were arrested as part of Operation Recoup.
He said the three had conspired to supply cocaine between January and March this year.
The court heard how the web closed on the conspirators when the undercover agent, codenamed Ian, met barmaid Milkins at the London Inn in Bedminster and formed a rapport with her.
On January 16 this year Mr Burns said the officer asked Milkins about cocaine use and she told him she was a user and could get him the drug.
“The officer said he was looking to buy an ounce and Milkins agreed to ring her supplier on his behalf.
“Hudd is the first person to supply the officer in one ounce quantities, worth about £600 an ounce,” said Mr Burns.
He said the cocaine was supplied to the officer at Milkins' Kildare Road home the following day.
The court heard that Ian was supplied at Milkins' home again on January 23 with a further ounce for £600 and was told that Edmonds could get him larger amounts.
Mr Burns said the officer ordered an ounce of the drug at short notice on February 6 and Milkins contacted Edmonds.
“The officer was directed to the London Inn pub. Edmonds arrived in an Astra car. The officer got in. He was supplied with an ounce in four bags for £600 again,” said Mr Burns.
He said the total amount of cocaine supplied was 85.93g, worth more than £6,000 on the street.
Mr Burns told the court that the dealing was at an organised level and Edmonds had been using digital scales to weigh out the class A drug at his home.
When the property was searched 180g of cocaine, worth around £9,000 on the street, was also found, together with £7,010 cash and a list of dealers' names.
The three defendants were arrested. All declined to comment to police.
However Boyles admitted his association with them.
Ignatius Hughes, defending Milkins, said that until the operation was mounted his client had been a user and not a dealer. He said that changed when the officer wanted access to her supplier.
The court heard she was not supplying to support her own heavy weekend cocaine habit.
Paul Grumbar, defending Edmonds, described his client as a “complete inadequate” who was frequently suicidal, had eating disorders and took steroids to help him though the day.
He said the defendant claimed he was a custodian of the drugs and it wasn't his job to sell them.
Mr Grumbar said it had been an easy way for Edmonds to make money.
Martin Steen, defending Hudd, said his client had began associating with people in the drugs industry last year and recognised he had made a “foolish mistake”.
Jailing the trio Judge Richard Bromilow said: “Each of you know that the court takes a very serious view of those who choose to supply class A drugs to other people.
“Cocaine causes misery to a great many people.”
“You took the risks. You thought there was going to be some reward and this afternoon you will know what the penalty is. The penalty will be sentences of some considerable length.
“You Edmonds were the one who was closest to the source of supply further up the chain. You allowed your home to be used.
“You Hudd, a tenant in Edmonds' home, were not very far behind. You recruited Boyles once you knew the police were interested.
“Milkins, you I accept are lower down. But never the less whether one describes you as a conduit or fixer you knew what was going on and were very happy to play your part and as and when take a little profit.”
Family and friends of the defendants sitting in the public gallery of Bristol Crown Court sobbed as the defendants were led to the cells.
Comment on this story