Drug dealer captured in city is jailed for 12 years

SHAUN WALKER SAID TO BE ATOP LUCRATIVE NETWORK

- By ROB CURRELL and ADAM EVERETT

A DRUG dealer who killed a young man in Devon is back behind bars after a dramatic arrest in Plymouth.

Career criminal Shaun Walker, whose heroin, cocaine and cannabis operation stretched across the UK, has been jailed again, more than a decade after driving “like a maniac” resulted in the death of his passenger.

He was arrested on March 28 this year when officers raided an address on Moor View Terrace, Plymouth.

Walker attempted to escape via a downstairs window but was ambushed by waiting officers.

Walker had previously been jailed for killing his backseat passenger while driving a BMW on the A38, hitting speeds of 100mph before smashing into a bridge.

This time, Walker pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine and cannabis, possession of heroin with intent to supply and conspiracy to convert criminal property. Appearing at Liverpool Crown Court via video link from HMP Exeter on Thursday, May 22, he was jailed for 12 years.

His messages to other dealers gave prosecutors what they needed to see him locked away. They also provide a rare glimpse into the criminals who bring heroin and cocaine into the South West.

On being arrested, he admitted to having “four ounces of gear and four ounces of bash” and remarked: “I was selling gear then and I'm selling gear now. I'll be going guilty as soon as I can.”

A total of 112g of heroin, referred to as ‘gear’ by Walker, worth an estimated £3,200, was subsequently seized from inside the property. Officers also found 112g of a substance used to add to heroin to increase the weight and therefore Walker's profits, known as ‘bash’ in the law-breaking community.

Cash amounting to £2,380 was also found inside a backpack.