Yacht dealer jailed over part in £8m drugs ring goes on the run
HE HAS FLED JAIL WHERE HE WAS SERVING 12 YEARS
A LUXURY yacht dealer who was also a “high-level” and “highly trusted” member of an £8 million cocaine ring has absconded from a Derbyshire prison.
Dean Woods was jailed for 12 years in February 2020 for making more than 30 trips to deliver cocaine or collect bags of cash.
The 40-year-old did not return from a period of day release from HMP Sudbury, an open prison in South Derbyshire, on Saturday, with police now on the hunt to find him.
Prior to being jailed, he controlled several other associates in places such as Nottingham and Newcastle, many of whom were stopped by police, according to the Liverpool Echo.
Woods, who is from Old Swan, in Liverpool, could have returned to his home city. He is described as around 5ft 11in tall, of medium build with short brown hair and brown eyes, and speaks with a Liverpool accent.
In November 2018, Woods began his involvement with the cocaine ring, worth £8 million, which saw six gang members drive 500kg of the Class A drug to cities including London, Bradford, Nottingham, Sheffield and Newcastle over seven months. At the time of his sentencing, the Open University-studying dad-of-two “accepts he let himself down,” Judge Denis Watson, QC, said, before jailing him.
Anyone who has seen Woods or knows of his whereabouts is asked to contact Derbyshire police quoting reference 884-191122.
People are asked to call the nonemergency 101 number or message the force via its website or social media channels. They can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, or visit the Crimestoppers website.