A DRUG dealer was jailed for a total of 17 years following two separate investigations into supplying heroin and money laundering offences.
Popinder Singh Kandola, 54, from Walsall, was jailed for 10 years in January at Birmingham Crown Court after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply heroin and money laundering.
The National Crime Agency case can only now be reported as Kandola was involved in a second trial at Bristol Crown Court.
NCA officers assisted Avon & Somerset Police with an investigation into Kandola’s role in a plot to set up a crystal meth production centre in the South West.
Kandola received a consecutive seven year sentence on Monday (27) after being found guilty of conspiracy to produce MDMA and amphetamine.
Paul Risby, NCA Branch Commander, said: “Kandola was at the centre of two organised crime groups determined to distribute large amounts of drugs throughout communities in West Midlands and the South West.
“We believe he had been involved in the drug trade for many years and clearly thought he could operate above the law. Even while he was on bail for our offences he became involved in a separate plot to produce crystal meth.
“Kandola has found out the hard way that the NCA and its partners won’t stop pursuing drug traffickers. He will now have to spend even more time in prison."
As part of the NCA investigation, officers evidenced Kandola overseeing a drug handover in the Balsall Heath area of Birmingham involving a number of his criminal associates. A bag containing 1.26kg of heroin was recovered.
During a meeting in the Coseley area, Kandola was observed by officers receiving a bag from another criminal associate which contained £50,000.
Over the last two years five of Kandola’s accomplices have received jail sentences totalling 28 years.
