The 'figurehead' of a drugs gang led an operation so 'prolific' which meant the group often ran out of bags. The group of dealers sold thousands of pounds worth of cocaine across Shirebrook under the helm of Thomas Carlisle.
Prosecutor Jonathan Cox described the group as a "prolific organisation" - and went on to suggest just how active they were. "Thomas Carlisle was the figurehead head of that group organising the day-to-day dealing run by the group. So busy was the group they often ran out of bags to supply (the users)," Mr Cox said.
Mr Cox added Carlisle used the bank accounts of his partners to deposit £120,000. "It was significant, organised, class A trafficking," Mr Cox said.
Derbyshire Live reports Carlisle has been jailed for more than 11 years. Derby Crown Court was told how the conspiracy saw up to 4.3kg of the class A drug go through its members during the time it ran between May 2018 and July 2020.
Two of them were partners of father-of-one Carlisle, Georgina Vincent - who has already been sentenced for her role - and Mellissa Mikosz. Jailing Carlisle and Mikosz, Judge Nirmal Shant QC said: "This was a prolific and large-scale operation and you, Carlisle, were at the head of the day-to-day supply of class A drugs. You organised the group and you ensured everyone did as they should.
"There was a real persistence to your behaviour. You (Mikosz) were a willing and enthusiastic participant, you enjoyed a lavish lifestyle and the trappings of Mr Carlisle's criminality."
Mr Cox said police executed a series of warrants across the the area on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, as part of an operation to tackle the supply of illegal substances in the town and a number of arrests were made. He said: "It was a prolific organisation selling primarily cocaine around the Shirebrook area."
Mikosz was described by Judge Shant as an "enthusiastic and actively involved" member of the gang. Mr Cox said: "She sent a message which read 'we can go out tomorrow and smash the sales'.
"Her home was searched and recovered was cash and cocaine and she was involved in setting up a drugs line. She let her home address, shared with her young son, be used to store cocaine and weapons."
Carlisle, 30, of Church Drive, Shirebrook, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, supply of cannabis, money laundering and possession of criminal property. He has eight previous convictions for 16 offences and was jailed for 11 years and three months.
Olajide Lanlehin, mitigating, said his client's son was only six weeks old when the defendant was taken into custody. He said: "He pleaded guilty in September, 2020, and has been doing valuable work in custody waiting to be sentenced and has obtained qualifications in painting and decorating. On his release he plans to move away from the area and get on with his life."
Mikosz, 32, of the same address, was convicted after trial of conspiracy to supply cocaine and money laundering. She also admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm when she threw a glass at a woman in The Gate Inn, in Shirebrook, on July 4, 2020. And she also pleaded guilty to assaulting an emergency worker from an incident when she was arrested on August 11, 2020.
The mother-of-one has 15 convictions for 21 offences and was jailed for seven years and three months. Raglan Ashton, her barrister, said: "She had no convictions for drugs before this and does not have a drug habit.
"She met Thomas Carlisle in October, 2019, and her criminality reflects the relationship. She was very much under his influence and once released from custody her intention is to return to being the doting and best mother she can be for (her son)."
Four other members of the gang have already been jailed for the roles they played in the conspiracy. Adam Betts, 33, of Sherwood Drive, Shirebrook, for eight years, with Judge Shant telling him: "It is right to say that Mr Carlisle was at the heart of this conspiracy but it is also right to say you were involved in all aspects of this class A drugs supply enterprise."
Georgia Vincent, 23, of The Woodlands, Langwith, held her head in her hands when the same judge, at an earlier hearing, sent her to prison for four years, telling her: "You were a willing participant and therefore this is a case where it can be rightly said you had a good idea of the level and scale of the operation."
Both Betts and Vincent pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs. She also admitted a second charge of concealing and converting criminal property - namely almost £25,000 in cash.
Fellow gang member Justin Woodham, 37, of Blackmires Way, Sutton-in-Ashfield, was jailed for 10 years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and Adrian Mohammed, 34, of Queensway, Pilsley, was sent to prison for four-and-a-half years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and for the supply of cocaine to run concurrently. A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing, where the money they made could be clawed back, will take place at a later date.
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