MEMBERS of a North East drugs ring which joined forces with an organised crime group from Merseyside have been jailed for a total of 46 years.

The six convicted criminals are now behind bars for the roles they played in the shipping of high purity cocaine and amphetamine into the region, with two more to be sentenced at a later date.

During the 22-week trial, at Newcastle Crown Court, gang "linchpin" John Allcock and his accomplices repeatedly denied their roles in the conspiracy, which saw detectives monitor and close in on their operation, between January 10, 2017, and May 31, 2018.

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

During the complex investigation which was launched by officers from the North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU), 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.

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, which he later bought and employed couriers to distribute across the region.

During the trial, the court heard how the men attempted to evade detection by conducting shady face-to-face business meetings, as well as via encrypted devices and also used a number of tactics to try and avoid police detection.

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(M) in County Durham.

With 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.

Further enquiries saw the recovery of almost £50,000 in cash after a targeted vehicle stop in Lincolnshire, in November that year.

A search of the van revealed the cash secreted beneath a fixed heavy-duty boot-liner under a pile of tools.

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 was caught in Swansea having travelled there with £250,000 worth of cannabis, and later collecting £21,250 in cash.

Allcock, who was living in Spain, 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.  

The group of eight were subsequently charged with a string of drugs and money laundering offences and all stood trial at the court.

Two pleaded guilty and the remaining six were subsequently convicted in February this year, following a four-month trial.

Six appeared at thge court for sentencing on Friday when they were handed their sentences

John Allcock, 52, of Hillmeadows, Willington, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and money laundering. He received a 21-year prison sentence.

Carl McAlindon, 36, of Abbey Drive, Jarrow, was found guilty of Conspiracy to Supply Class A and B Drugs and money laundering and was sentenced to 13 years behind bars.

Bernard Sewell, 41, of Roman Road, Hebburn, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply class B drugs but found not guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and was sentenced to four-and-a-half years behind bars.

Mark Hiscock, 46, of Cheviot Road, South Shields, was found guilty of money laundering but found not guilty of conspiracy to supply class B drugs and was sentenced to 12 months behind bars.

David McFarlane, 53, of Hadrian Road, Jarrow, was found guilty of money laundering but found not guilty of conspiracy to supply class B drugs and also received a 12-month prison sentence.

Glen Stoddart, also 53, of Mariners Point, Hartlepool was found guilty of conspiracy to supply class B drugs, money laundering and participating in activities of an organised crime group and was sentenced to five-and-a-half years behind bars.

Paul Marrow, 62, of Denton Green, Liverpool, admitted conspiracy to supply class A drugs and is to be sentenced at a later date.

Baber Azim, 43, of Kendridge Road, Slough, admitted conspiracy to supply class A drugs and money laundering and will also be sentenced at a later date.

Michael Vassallo, 42, of South Shields, who was charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs, was cleared by the jury.

Judge Tim Gittins said all took part in a "sophisticated enterprise", in what was, "serious organised crime", dealing in, "industrial quantities" of drugs.

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

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.

“Thanks to this investigation, members of two organised crime groups, ranging from couriers to those leading the businesses were brought before the courts and held accountable for their shameless and despicable offending. I am pleased the jury have found them guilty and they have been given substantial jail terms, as these convictions undoubtedly make our region a better place.

“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 through the use of encrypted phones and swapping sim cards, but also denied their roles before a court and refused to accept blame and take responsibility.

“As part of Operation Sentinel, our dedicated initiative here in the North East which tackles organised crime, officers at NERSOU are working tirelessly alongside their force counterparts to identify and stop people involved in this type of criminality, and bring them to justice.

“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.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the officers and staff involved in this lengthy investigation and hope their efforts reassure the community that we are committed to tackling organised crime.”

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