Pubdate: Sat, 07 Jan 2012
Source: Herald, The (UK)
Copyright: 2012 The Western Morning News Co. Ltd
Contact:  http://thisisplymouth.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4406

JAIL TERMS SHOW DRUGS WAR GOES ON

THERE can be few people in Plymouth who are unaware of the huge 
damage which the scourge of drugs does to our city.

The human toll is bad enough. The futures of people, many of them 
young, are ruined forever by their addiction to substances which kill 
ambitions, hope  and in some tragic cases, the users themselves.

But drug use also impacts on people who have no involvement in this 
evil, pernicious trade.

Too often, those desperate to fund their next fix resort to crime 
devastating their victims and blighting neighbourhoods through 
burglaries, theft, muggings and casual violence.

To ordinary people, it may seem that their streets and communities 
are at risk of being swamped by a tide of crime associated with drug 
use and supply, and that the police and courts  despite all their 
efforts are powerless to halt it. But they would be wrong. Because as 
two court cases in Plymouth highlighted clearly yesterday, the war 
against those who seek to profit from the misery of others is very 
much ongoing, and thanks to the diligent efforts of police some 
significant successes are being achieved.

Danny Cahalane, of St Judes, found guilty of a conspiracy to supply 
cocaine, was jailed for eight years.

Judge Paul Darlow told the 24-year-old that he had been involved in a 
'large scale operation'. Significantly, the judge referred to the 
'heartache and loss' said to be felt by Cahalane's family. But he 
said that this was a result of 'a decision you took when you became 
involved in drug dealing at this level'.

Meanwhile Leigham man Michael Doyle was jailed for three years and 
four months for his part in an operation to bring cannabis worth 
UKP300,000 to our city. Judge Paul Derbyshire said that Doyle and his 
co-defendant were involved in 'an evil and murky trade' and described 
the 48-year-old as 'a major player'.

These men and their associates no doubt thought they were above the 
law, and would be able to ply their trade with impunity. But they were wrong.

These cases, along with so many others currently going through the 
courts, send out a clear message that the battle to reclaim our 
streets is slowly but surely reaping rich rewards.

Well done to everyone involved in these successful prosecutions. 
Let's hope the message goes out to everyone that Plymouth is no soft 
touch for drug criminals  and anyone using or selling narcotics here 
can expect to feel the full force of the law. The tide is turning, 
and that is good news for the vast majority of law-abiding people who live here.
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