Tipton drug dealer jailed for 12 years

A dealer has been jailed after police recovered a large stash of drugs and weapons at an address in Tipton.

West Midlands Police acted on information and searched Szymon Zielinski’s address in Market Street, Great Bridge, in July 2020.

Police found more than 15 kilos of drugs including cocaine, ecstasy, illegal amphetamine and cannabis within the property. The force also discovered a range of equipment used in the production of drugs, three imitation firearms, CS spray, a baton and over £7,000 in cash.

Zielinski was convicted of a range of possession with intent to supply offences and of possessing prohibited weapons. The 35-year-old was sentenced to 12 years and four months at Wolverhampton Crown Court last Friday (4 November).

A co-accused - 40-year-old Sebastian Sniegoski - was convicted of the same offences in his absence and is wanted for failing to appear at court.

What has West Midlands Police said?

Sergeant Paul Smith, from force CID, said: “Drugs are a scourge on our communities. They can ruin lives and lead to further crimes as users seek to fund their habits.

“Through the work of our officers we were able to take a substantial amount of drugs off our streets. We found weapons and imitation firearms which certainly would have looked genuine by anyone faced with one.

“This is a significant sentence and shows how serious such offences are taken. We will now seek to ensure Sniegoski is brought before the court to face justice - and a potentially much longer sentence for failing to appear at court - also.”