A group of drug dealing convicts who tried to sell cannabis, cocaine and MDMA to city-centre partygoers, not knowing they were being watched by police, have been locked up for more than 15 years.

The group of eight were taken down after police set up a surveillance operation to watch them as they worked across popular spots in Newcastle City Centre.

The men sold quantities of cannabis, MDMA, and cocaine to revellers in busy spots such as Moseley Street, Collingwood Street and the Quayside between June and December 2018 while officers watched on.

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Having built up a stash of evidence against the group, officers arrested dealers Jean Pierre Parracho, Joshua Kanda, and Laykan Aremu and seized their devices which showed a clear pattern of offending and implicated others in the conspiracy.

Associates Donovan Sibanda and Adoniyas Michaels, and five others, were then taken in for interview.

The men were charged and began appearing at Newcastle Crown Court in May last year.

Two of those implicated in the plot denied their involvement and will stand trial next year.

The rest of the men were convicted and the final four were jailed last week.

Between them they were handed a total of 15 years and eight months behind bars.

Sentenced on December 9, Donovan Sibanda, 25, of Westbourne Avenue, Newcastle was jailed for three years and four months for three counts of supplying cocaine.

Appearing with him Nelson Ndlovi, 27, of Raby Way, Newcastle was jailed for two years and nine months for three counts of supplying A class cocaine and possession with intent to supply.

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Also thrown behind bars were 26-year-olds Adoniyas Michaels of Studdon Walk, Newcastle who was jailed for three years and two months for two counts of supplying cocaine and one count of supplying MDMA, and Sandro Mendonca, of no fixed abode, who was given a 21 month jail term suspended 12 months for supplying cocaine.

Earlier this year their associates Michael Ojeikere, 24, of Gainsborough Grove, Newcastle was jailed for two years for two counts of supplying cocaine, Laykan Farouk Aremu, 26, of Fourstones Close in Kenton, was jailed for four years and five months for four counts of supplying cocaine, and Jean Pierre Parracho, 24, of Prendwick Court in Hebburn who was given a 21 months jail term suspended for 18 months for two counts of being concerned in supplying cocaine.

Joshua Kanda, 28, of Grosvenor Road, Jesmond was issued with a community order for two months in May last year.

Three other men identified during the investigation were issued with cautions and fines for possession.

Superintendent Jamie Pitt of Northumbria Police, said: “This operation was set up to ensure that those responsible for illegal supply were caught, monitored and put before the courts. And, after a long and complex investigation, we have done just that.

“Newcastle is a thriving nightlife where people come to enjoy themselves safely and our message is clear – illegal drugs and those who sell them are not welcome here.

“I hope these convictions and jail terms show our communities we are serious about putting a dent into the criminal networks involved in illicit drug supply as part of Operation Sentinel, and we will make no apologies for continuing to seize and destroy their substances, taking illegal cash out of circulation and putting offenders before the courts.”

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