MEMBERS of a drugs gang who supplied drugs worth tens of millions of pounds across the north of England have been locked up for a total of 60 years.
Gary Johnson, 31, of Potterhanworth, was jailed for four years for his part in the activities of the 10-strong Sheffield-based gang.
Nine men and a woman were jailed for up to 17 years after police from five forces smashed the drugs ring.
The g
ang supplied wholesale quantities of cocaine, speed and cannabis to cities in the north of England while the ringleaders enjoyed lavish lifestyles.
Jailing them on Wednesday, Judge Patrick Robertshaw said it was important society enjoyed a ‘substantial respite from their odious activities’.
Sheffield Crown Court heard the ring was smashed by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and police from South and West Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Northumbria.
The gang set up a sophisticated network which prepared, stored and supplied drugs.
Officers seized 42kg of skunk cannabis, 159kg of cannabis resin, 17kg of cocaine and 90kg of amphetamine, with a total street value of tens of millions of pounds.
Ringleaders John Newell, aged 36, of Townwells Road, North Anston, and David Bunn, aged 41, of Pickard Crescent, Richmond, Sheffield, enjoyed a lavish lifestyle on the proceeds, using a gang of couriers to move the drugs around.
Newell was jailed for 17 years after admitting conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis. Bunn was jailed for 15-and-a-half years after admitting the same charges and one count of money laundering.
Gary Johnson, 31, a self-employed builder from Potterhanworth, had bought cocaine from the drugs ring planning to sell it. He admitted possession of cocaine with intent to supply. He was assisted by Dean Smith, 26, of Lincoln, who was jailed for three-and-a-half years.
The full article contains 305 words and appears in Sleaford Standard newspaper.
