Members of a drugs gang who flooded the streets of Newcastle with high-quality cocaine have been jailed for playing their part in the conspiracy.
Liam Pow, 33, Scott Ridley, 32, Christopher Phillips, 30, and Tiffany Day, 30, were all part of a major class A drugs conspiracy which involved the transportation and selling of thousands of pounds worth of cocaine. Large quantities of the drug were delivered and collected during the conspiracy between March 11 and July 16 2020 before a police raid called a halt to the "slick" operation.
All four of the co-conspirators were arrested after being placed under surveillance by Northumbria Police and all appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday to be sentenced for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
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The court heard that most of the defendants were arrested in the summer of 2020 and that the conspiracy involved "substantial quantities of cocaine and cash". Gavin Doig, prosecuting, said the gang was "involved in high-level distribution and adulterating cocaine to increase profits", with Pow being the prime-mover in the operation, and Ridley acting as his trusted "lieutenant".
Mr Doig said there were two significant addresses used during the conspiracy, one at Walkerfield Court in Walker, where "drugs were tested and moved on", and nearby Wellbeck Road, where cash was stored on behalf of Pow and Ridley. The court heard that Phillips acted in a lesser role as a courier and delivered substantial quantities of drugs and cash to Ridley. Mr Doig said: "There was a lot of moving parts, moving together simultaneously...they were under surveillance for a significant period of time and cocaine and cash were recovered."
The court heard that EncroChat messaging was used, with Pow having two "handles" and Ridley having one handle by the name of "Purple Oyster". Mr Doig said: "Pow was the principle member of the conspiracy, controlling operations and the actions of others. He organised the supply of cocaine, which would be delivered in Walker. Ridley was lower down the rung and was the lieutenant, his home was used for day to day operations."
The court was told that Day was Ridley's partner at the time and they lived together at Walkerfield Court, which was the "hub" of the conspiracy. Mr Doig said that when the home was raided by police £166,000 and three kilos of cocaine was recovered, with business still going well even during the coronavirus lockdown. He said that police estimated Pow had been supplied with a total of 26kg of cocaine during the conspiracy, which he would buy wholesale before adulterating and distributing to suppliers.
Mr Doig said: "Pow had built up strong and robust relationships with suppliers, so if he was not happy with the quality he would return it. He maintained a high-quality product and was a high-level professional. The supply would then go to a courier and drive to Newcastle." The court was told Day allowed her home to be used for the conspiracy, with three kilos of cocaine being found there. When police raided the home she locked the doors, warned the others and then hid in a cupboard with a bag of cash.
Known as "Rocky", Phillips, of Clapham Avenue, Walker, who had 16 previous convictions for 23 offences, was well known to Pow and Ridley and was involved in the conspiracy for only a short period of time. Nevertheless, the court heard he played an "important role" and that he must have known the scale of the operation.
Matthew Donkin, defending Pow, of Wreay Walk, Cramlington, said he had no relevant previous convictions and became involved in drugs supply after racking up a drug debt himself. He said: "He was raised by his grandmother up until the age of 13 and was then returned to the care of his mother and a chaotic existence. He began abusing drugs and by the age of 19 had built up a drugs debt as a consequence. He became clean in his early twenties, but in 2016 his grandmother passed away, and he recommenced taking drugs."
Mr Donkin added: "He built up substantial debts to dealers, he estimates around £50,000, and he was encouraged to supply drugs to get rid of the debt. He is remorseful and accepts the need to be punished. While on remand he has gained qualifications and is determined to support other young offenders."
Adam Birkby, defending Ridley, said his role was subordinate to Pow's but maintained he was a trusted lieutenant and that his role reflected his activity. He said: "He was taking the risks others higher up in the chain were want to take. He was getting his hands dirty." He said that Ridley had served in the Armed Forces for five years, with his conduct being described as "exemplary". Mr Birkby added: "He is not someone who would ordinarily involve himself in crime. He's deeply ashamed of his offending behaviour."
Tony Cornberg, defending Phillips, said he became involved at a late stage and only on three occasions, as well as having no EncroChat involvement. He said: "There was no one under him, he had no influence on anyone. His gain was to wipe out a drugs debt, he would not have been involved were it not for the debt." A pre-sentence report said he was at a "low ebb" at the time and "vulnerable".
Paul Andrews, defending Day, said she had no previous convictions and was a qualified beauty therapist who had been in a failed relationship with Ridley, and had been "infatuated" with him. He said: "A pre-sentence report said there may be a way forward for her. There was no evidence of financial gain for her. The reality is she allowed her premises to be used, that in itself is a substantive offence on it's own. She is at a low risk of re-offending and I would urge your honour to be punished in the community."
Sentencing the defendants, Judge Edward Bindloss said the conspiracy was "slick, well-run and professional", before handing out prison sentences that totalled over 30 years. Pow was jailed for 14 years and four months; Ridley was jailed for nine years and four months; Phillips was jailed for four years and six months, and Day was jailed for three years.
Speaking after the sentencings, Detective Chief Inspector Marc Michael, from the Force’s Crime department, said: “We have made it clear that illicit substances like cocaine have no place in our communities and anyone involved in the production, supply or distribution will be pursued under the banner of Operation Sentinel – our dedicated initiative to tackling Serious and Organised Crime.
“This group was monitored by specialist officers over a five-month period during the global pandemic – a time when most people were pulling together and following the rules to help their communities out. But instead of doing that, this group met up to exchange illegal Class A drugs, criminal cash and plot how to make more ill gotten gains.
“Thankfully our evidence enabled us to make a number of arrests and secure swift charges. Thanks to support from our criminal justice partners, a solid case was presented before the courts and has resulted in eight convictions and a number of organised criminals being placed behind bars.
“Our communities are undoubtedly a better place thanks to this result. We have made it clear that this type of offending will not be tolerated and we will continue to work hard to disrupt this type of criminality.”
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