Taunton men jailed for drug offenses

Three Taunton men have been jailed for their key role in the supply of cocaine and cannabis in the town.

Clayton Budge, 26, Kai Darby, 25, and Finley Ford, 23, all from Taunton, were sentenced last week after pleading guilty to multiple offenses earlier this year.

The trio were arrested in July when a search warrant was executed at a property in Malvern Terrace. Officers seized more than 6.5kg of marijuana, cash and other drug paraphernalia.

Darby and Budge were arrested at the address, while Ford was arrested after he was seen walking away from the property. Officers seized 1.2 kg of marijuana in his car.

More than £1,700 in cash and 1kg of cocaine were also seized during subsequent searches.

All three men were later charged and pleaded guilty to multiple crimes.

Budge was convicted of possession with intent to supply a class B drug (cannabis) and being concerned in the supply of cannabis; Darby was found guilty of being concerned in the supply of cannabis; and Ford were found guilty of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis.

They were sentenced at Taunton Crown Court on Tuesday, November 12. They received the following sentences:

Budge – three years and four months in prison.

Darby – two years and six months in prison.

Ford – five years and four months in prison.

DS Charlie Pulling said: “Illegal drugs are destroying communities, and those who supply them often prey on the most vulnerable members of our society.

“We are determined to identify those responsible and welcome the sentences imposed by the court following our investigation.”

If you suspect someone is dealing drugs please report it by calling 101 or via our website.