Birmingham City will be hoping Harry Redknapp’s magic touch that staved off relegation last season will continue as the new Championship campaign kicks off.

Two men who ran a drug and gun supply network across the West Midlands have been jailed for almost 30 years.

David Pedley and Ezekial Osbourne were given sentences at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday (Monday 30 July). Pedley pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and supplying a firearm, and was sentenced for 17 years. Osbourne also pleaded guilty to the same offences and will serve over 10 years.

West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit ran an investigation which recovered more than £100,000, class A drugs (including cocaine and heroin) and a firearm during raids.

In a statement, DC Chris Smith, said:

“This was a co-ordinated criminal network of which Pedley and Osbourne were at the forefront. We have already seen 10 others jailed for their involvement in this and hopefully these latest, lengthy sentences will serve as a warning that such criminal behaviour will not be tolerated. We all know the pain that both drugs and guns can cause on our streets and there will be no let-up in our determination to combat this.”

William Butler, a recruit within the network, was also jailed for three years and four months for supplying cocaine.

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