Cocaine and cash seized at meeting
Officers acting on information about Dubiel watched him drive a white Audi around Newcastle-under-Lyme on February 26. Prosecutor Peter Arnold said Stoker arrived at about 2 p.m. and acknowledged Dubiel. Messages between their phones showed that the meeting had been arranged in advance.
As police moved toward the Audi, Dubiel tried to escape by reversing. Officers broke the windows to detain him. Stoker also tried to leave, walking past the car and speeding up before officers stopped him.
The Audi contained two one-kilogram packages of cocaine. According to Stoke Nub News, they were inside a JD Sports bag on the passenger seat, and officers also seized two mobile phones for examination.
A cardboard box in Stoker's carrier bag contained approximately £21,000. Arnold told the court: "The clear inference is Dubiel was going to exchange a kilo of cocaine for the cash."
Searches uncover more drugs
Dubiel had keys to a business unit on Leycett Lane in Newcastle-under-Lyme, where police recovered another two one-kilogram blocks of cocaine. One had packaging matching a block seized from the Audi.
Stoke Nub News reported that a key recovered from the car opened an industrial container in the area. Inside was a safe containing the additional cocaine and more cannabis. A search of Dubiel's home uncovered 13 kilograms of vacuum-packed cannabis. Police also found cannabis and cash at Stoker's home.
Arnold estimated the cocaine's wholesale value at £92,000 to £140,000, with a potential street value of £480,000 to £600,000. For the cannabis, he gave figures of £52,000 to £80,000 wholesale and £113,000 to £175,000 at street level.
Defense describes debts, health problems and courier role
Dubiel's attorney, Scott Ashdown, said back problems had left his client unable to work and his mental health had deteriorated. His doctor advised him to apply for benefits, but the application was refused. Ashdown said Dubiel, who has neurodivergent conditions, was approached in early 2026 and "offered a way to make easy money".
Ashdown argued that those conditions affected Dubiel's decision-making. The drugs had been supplied on credit, he said, and Dubiel expected to repay his supplier £100,000 after selling them. His anticipated profit from the drugs in his possession was £10,000. "He was not at the top of the pyramid. He was answerable to somebody," Ashdown said.
Stoker's attorney, Paul Cliff, described his client as a courier following instructions to collect drugs for a £500 payment. He said those directing Stoker regarded him as "a disposable asset" because of the risks of carrying drugs and cash.
Cliff said Stoker had stopped working by January 2026 and was susceptible to an offer of easy money. He added that Stoker was angry with himself, accepted that his conduct was wrong and understood that he would be punished.
Guilty pleas and sentences
Dubiel, of Wilmot Drive in Knutton, admitted four offenses: conspiracy to supply both Class A and Class B drugs, and possession with intent to supply drugs in each class. Stoker, of Cauldon Avenue in Bradwell, admitted conspiracy to supply a Class A drug, possession of a Class A drug, and possession or acquisition of criminal property.
Judge Richard McConaghy put the street value of the cocaine available to Dubiel at around £500,000 and the cannabis at more than £100,000. He said Stoker had knowingly acted as a paid courier, carrying cash to exchange for a block of cocaine.
Staffordshire Police said the investigation removed drugs worth up to £775,000 from the streets. The Regional Organised Crime Unit also took part. After sentencing, Detective Superintendent Dan Ison described the seizure as nearly a million pounds' worth of drugs taken from organized criminals exploiting local people, and said police would continue pursuing such groups in Staffordshire.
A Proceeds of Crime hearing is scheduled for May 27.
