Ringleader of drugs gang is jailed for 10 years
MEMBERS of a drugs gang who were flooding streets in the North East with Class A drugs have been jailed.
Nathan Graham, 30, was the ringleader who spearheaded the conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin across the region.
Graham, along with gang members Dean Joicey and Jonathan Ash, have all been sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court.
Detectives launched an investigation last year following a rise in the number of drugs deaths in Gateshead between 2017 and 2018.
Plain-clothed officers spent hundreds of hours carrying out surveillance of suspects they believed to be supplying Class A drugs to vulnerable users.
The investigation also saw officers purchase drugs from a number of dealers operating across the borough.
One day of action during ‘ Operation Salvator’ in April 2019 saw more than 60 suspects arrested.
The detectives raided 37 addresses within 24 hours and seized drugs, cash and weapons.
Earlier this year, six men identified as being part of the gang all admitted conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and were jailed for a total of almost 20 years at Newcastle Crown Court.
Last week, three more defendants, including ringleader Graham, were sentenced for their part in the conspiracy.
Graham, of Wardle Gardens, Felling, pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and two counts of acquiring criminal property. He was jailed for 10 years and eight months.
Joicey, 32, of Devon Crescent, Birtley, admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was imprisoned for six years and nine months.
Ash, 21, also of Devon Crescent, Birtley, was handed a two-year sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Superintendent Brad Howe, of Northumbria Police, said: “These are the latest in a line of fantastic results
which has seen an organised criminal gang jailed for a total of more than 30 years. I’m delighted with the outcome.
“All those involved in this conspiracy showed a total disregard for the welfare of those vulnerable drug users trapped in a cycle of addiction. They were motivated only by financial greed.
“Nine members have now been brought to justice and that’s testament to almost two years of superb work by the investigative team. They should be incredibly proud of the job they’ve done and I’m sure the public will echo my sincere thanks to them.
“Under the banner of Operation Sentinel, we will continue to send a strong message out to serious and organised criminals across Northumbria - we will identify who you are, we will disrupt your activity, and we will ultimately put you behind bars.”
Six men appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on August 10 and 11 where they were sentenced as follows:
Michael Hewitt, 23, of Duncan Street, Gateshead, admitted conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and two counts of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug. He was sentenced to five years and nine months imprisonment. Christopher Power, 32, of Windsor Road, Gateshead, admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and one count of supplying a Class B drug. He was sentenced to three years imprisonment. Stephen Burton, 27, of St Cuthbert’s Drive, Felling, admitted two counts of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug. He was sentenced to two years imprisonment. Gary Robinson, 29, of Lumley Gardens, Gateshead, admitted two counts of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug. He was handed a 20-month sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work. Benjamin Skee, 27, of Celadine Way, Gateshead, admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, possession with intent to supply MDMA, dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified. He was sentenced to five years imprisonment. Michael Graham, 32, of Pontop View, Highfield, admitted two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. He was sentenced to three years imprisonment.