Two drug dealers have been sentenced after five kilos of pure cocaine and £125,000 in criminal cash were seized as part of the regionwide crackdown on organised crime.

Liam Storey, 33, and Samantha Haswell, 29, were sentenced to more than six years in prison for Possessing Controlled Drugs with Intent to Supply Cocaine and Possessing Criminal Property.

In July last year, a search of the pair’s address turned up five kilos of cocaine and £125,135 in cash hidden inside a wardrobe. The cocaine was of high purity and worth over £200,000 however, the street value was estimated to be much higher.

Read more: Cocaine gang operating in Cramlington and Newton Aycliffe jailed

Officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), with the support of Northumbria Police, descended on the property on South Shield’s Dacre Street following intelligence that suggested they were involved in illegal drug activity.

The duo was swiftly arrested and charged before being remanded into custody.

Their trial was listed for July 2023 however, with the overwhelming evidence against them, the pair entered guilty pleas and were sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday (April 17).

Storey pleaded guilty to money laundering and possessing controlled drugs with intent to supply cocaine and was sentenced to five years and three months in prison.

Haswell pleaded guilty to money laundering and was sentenced to ten months imprisonment, suspended for two years with 200 hours of unpaid work.

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In a statement, Northumbria Police said: “This has been a significant seizure of illicit drugs and cash and thanks to months of hard work of officers, those responsible are now facing the consequences of their actions.

“We will continue working with partners and our local police forces here in the North East to act on intelligence received, taking a proactive approach to keep people safe and fight organised crime under the banner of Operation Sentinel.

“If you see anyone acting suspiciously in your community, or have any information about local crime, you can report it to your local police force or alternatively you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”