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.