A drug dealer caught with a £1 million stash and £30,000 cash has been given a longer prison sentence after becoming the subject of an appeal.
Danny Wilder was initially jailed for seven years after an investigation codenamed Operation Jedi.
But Sussex Police appealed against the “unduly lenient” sentence for the 38-year-old from Hastings and last week the team behind Op Jedi were delighted to learn that a panel of judges agreed.
The force said today (Monday 10 June): “A St Leonards man found with almost £1 million of drugs has had his jail sentence extended after an appeal.
“Danny Wilder, 38, of Vale Road, in St Leonards, was jailed for seven years in March after pleading guilty to multiple drug offences.
“On Friday (7 June), an appeal panel ruled that the sentence was unduly lenient and increased the sentence to ten years and six months.
“Wilder was initially detained after being seen behaving suspiciously by officers in Cloudesley Road on Friday 19 May 2023.
“He was searched, found with a small amount of cocaine and cash and arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
“When officers searched his home, they found around 10kg of cocaine and 16kg of cannabis, plus around £30,000 in cash.
“The drugs are believed to have a street value of around £930,000.
“Wilder was subsequently charged with possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and money laundering and, at Lewes Crown Court on Monday 19 June 2023, he pleaded guilty to all charges.
“He was originally sentenced at Brighton Crown Court on Monday 18 March.”
Detective Constable Amy Pooley said: “Drugs have a devastating impact on our communities and it is right that those involved in their trade face justice for their crimes.
“Danny Wilder was a committed offender, responsible for distributing vast quantities of harmful substances.
“I welcome the court’s decision to extend his prison sentence to more accurately reflect the severity of his crimes.
“This should send a clear message to other offenders that we will use all powers at our disposal to hold you to account.”
