Drugs gang 11 locked up
MEN SAW THEMSELVES AS ABOVE THE LAW, POLICE SAY
A DRUGS gang who plotted to flood the North East with cocaine and cannabis has been jailed for a total of more than 45 years.
The organised crime group were involved in the large-scale supply and distribution of narcotics across Tyneside and thought they were above the law.
But police were onto them and spent six months keeping them under observations before swooping and smashing the gang.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the conspirators operated out of a number of addresses in Blaydon, Winlaton, North Shields and Burradon.
Head honchos Tony David Ross, his dad, Anthony Thompson Ross, and fellow ringleader Brian Moulding were among 11 men to be locked up.
After the case, Det Insp Don Gibson welcomed the sentences and said a dangerous gang who posed a big threat to communities across the Northumbria Police force area have been taken off the streets.
He said: “This organised crime gang have wreaked havoc across the North East, targeting the most vulnerable in our communities. We are delighted that they have now been brought to justice.
“Sophisticated gangs like this often believe they are above the law and think they will never get caught.
“Their operation was vast and their conviction was the result of a lot of hard work from my team, who carried out months of investigation. There is no doubt that the operation they ran posed a big threat to the fabric of our society. The region is a safer place with these individuals behind bars.
“I would like to thank all of the officers who’ve worked on this case for their hard work and dedication to ensure the perpetrators pay for the crimes they have committed. I also hope this sends out a clear and strong message that nobody is above the law, and we will continue to actively pursue offenders who look to take advantage of those most vulnerable in our communities for purely selfish gains.”
Police carried out a number of raids in October 2016 as part of the investigation, initially arresting nine men.
More than a kilogram of cocaine was seized and a dozen addresses were raided.
A professional cannabis farm was also uncovered on the Camperdown Industrial Estate, near Burradon, North Tyneside.
The 11 men sentenced were:
■ Tony David Ross, 34, of Valley Crescent, Blaydon, sentenced to 10 years’ and nine months’ imprisonment after admitting conspiracy to supply class-A and -B drugs;
■ Anthony Thompson Ross, 55, of Hanover Drive, Winlaton, sentenced to five years’ imprisonment after being found guilty at court of conspiracy to supply class-A drugs;
■ Brian Stewart Moulding, 38, of June Avenue, Winlaton Mill, sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment after admitting conspiracy to supply class-A and -B drugs;
■ James Madine, 43, of Milton Grove, Prudhoe, sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment after being found guilty at court of conspiracy to supply class-A drugs;
■ Scott David McKenzie, 29, of Briar Close, Winlaton, sentenced to three years’ imprisonment after admitting conspiracy to supply class-A drugs;
■ Liam Terual, 25, of Union Quay, North Shields, sentenced to three years’ imprisonment after being found guilty at court of conspiracy to supply class-A drugs;
■ Robert Paul Stewart, 37, of Hesketh Way, Liverpool, sentenced to three years’ imprisonment after being found guilty at court of conspiracy to supply class-A drugs;
■ David Bradley, 34, of Greenvale Avenue, Newcastle, sentenced to two years’ and six months’ imprisonment after admitting being concerned in the supply of class-A drugs;
■ Anthony Jessop, 28, of Ullswater Way, Newcastle, sentenced to two years and four months’ imprisonment after admitting possession with the intent to supply class-A drugs;
■ Steven Atkin, 33, of Briar Close, Winlaton, given an 18-month suspended sentence with 150 hours’ unpaid work after admitting conspiracy to supply class-B drugs;
■ Jason Snowball, 22, of Tynebank, Winlaton, sentenced to a two-year suspended sentence with 200 hours’ unpaid work, curfew and tag after admitting conspiracy to supply class-A drugs.
A 12th man, Tony Wayne Trott, 30, of South Terrace, Sunderland, admitted conspiracy to supply class A drugs and will be sentenced on a future date to be confirmed.