Durham 'kingpin' convicted of drug operation along with his North East gang

During a 22-week trial, drugs linchpin John Allcock, of Durham, and his cronies repeatedly denied their roles in the conspiracy to supply the region with Class-A drugs, which saw detectives monitor and close in on their operation between January 10, 2017, and May 31, 2018.

As part of their activity, officers from Northumbria Police seized more than £120,000 cash, 65 kilos of cannabis and mixing agents, as well as Class A drugs.

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During the complex investigation, which was launched by officers from the North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU) and in partnership with Merseyside police officers, Allcock and his trusted lieutenant Carl McAlindon were monitored as they ran their illicit business, buying and sourcing drugs from members of a North West organised criminal group.

In its operational 18 months, Allcock would regularly travel to Liverpool and Manchester to meet with associates and was observed visiting an industrial unit which the group had access to and suspected to have been used to store large quantities of Amphetamine.

Newcastle Crown Court heard on Friday (February 18) how the men attempted to evade detection by conducting shady face-to-face business meetings, as well as via encrypted devices.

John Alcock was identified as the linchpin in the drug operation. Picture: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE.

After a lengthy period of surveillance on the group, officers made their first move and arrested Liverpool-based courier Paul Marrow on September 15, 2017, on the A1 in Durham.

With the assistance of a drugs dog, a hidden electronically operated compartment complete with a trap door was found inside his white van and contained a block of high purity cocaine worth around £180,000.

This was followed up in November, when further enquiries saw the recovery of almost £50,000 in cash after a targeted vehicle stop in Lincolnshire. A search of the van revealed the cash secreted beneath a fixed heavy-duty boot-liner under a pile of tools.

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The takedown of the group continued into 2018 when officers arrested two more couriers, Baber Azim and Glen Stoddart.

Azim was intercepted as he travelled through the Cleveland Police area in possession of cash and a kilo of cocaine, and Stoddart caught in Swansea having travelled there with £250,000 worth of Cannabis, and later collecting £21,250 in cash.

Allcock, who was residing in Spain at the time, was later arrested with the help of the National Crime Agency in a final swoop by officers determined to bring the conspiracy to an end. 

A 22-week trial took place to convict Allcock and the other men. They will soon be sentenced. Picture: NORTHUMBRIA POLICE.

The group were subsequently charged with a string of drugs and money laundering offences which they continued to deny, and all stood trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

And following a trial lasting more than four months, on Friday they were convicted.

• John Allcock, 52, of Durham was found guilty of Conspiracy to Supply Class A and B drugs and money laundering.
• Carl McAlindon, 36, of Jarrow was found guilty of Conspiracy to Supply Class A and B Drugs and money laundering.
• Bernard Sewell, 41, of Hebburn was found guilty of Conspiracy to Supply Class B drugs but found not guilty of Conspiracy to supply Class A Drugs.
• Mark Hiscock, 46, of South Shields was found guilty of money laundering but found not guilty of Conspiracy to supply Class B drugs.
• David McFarlane, 53 of Jarrow was found guilty of money laundering but found not guilty of Conspiracy to Supply Class B drugs.
• Glen Stoddart, 53, of Hartlepool was found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, money laundering and participating in activities of an Organised Crime Group.

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During the trial, two men pleaded guilty, they were: Paul Marrow, 62, of Liverpool admitted Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs and Baber Azim, 43, of Slough admitted Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and money laundering.

And, Michael Vassallo, 42, of South Shields had been charged with Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs but was found not guilty by the jury.

Speaking at the end of the trial, detective inspector Steve Pescod from NERSOU said: “I hope this case send a strong message to anyone who thinks they can turn a profit from supplying illegal, harmful substances in our towns and cities.

“Allcock ran a sophisticated and significant operation worth millions of pounds, which, thanks to the hard work and dedication of officers has now been shut down, and the proceeds seized.

Police officers worked in partnership with Merseyside officers on the case. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.

“These men were brazen offenders who were working together to maximise profits, without a care for the vulnerable people caught up in their activity. Not only did they hide what they were doing using encrypted phones and swapping sim cards, but also denied their roles before a court and refused to accept blame and take responsibility.

“We will continue to work with our partners to disrupt and dismantle those illicit operations seeking to make money from selling drugs, as well as working hard to ensure those caught up in the effects of organised crime are given the help and support they need.

The group will be sentenced at a later date at the same court.

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