Hull: The faces of an organised crime gang jailed for 70 years

Update from Humberside Police:

In June this year, we told you about a large policing operation (read more here) we’d been undertaking to take County Lines criminals supplying Class A and B drugs into Hull off the streets. This operation saw us arrest 68 people, execute 30 warrants, seize large amounts of drugs including heroin and cocaine and dismantle four ‘County Lines’ from Liverpool, London and Bradford.

From significant evidence collected by our Organised Crime Team, a total of 26 men and women have been sentenced at Hull Crown Court to a total of 70 years imprisonment between them for being concerned in the supply of drugs, with a further six given suspended sentences, three given community orders, one sentenced to 30 months in a youth offending institution and one cautioned. Thirteen more charged are awaiting court.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Vickers speaks about what these results mean for the community: “Organised criminals like these are some of our most dangerous and harmful to those living within our area.

“County Lines drugs gangs exploit children and vulnerable people into selling drugs and committing other offences, with no care for the danger they place these people in. They’re often put on trains, buses, or driven around the country, supplying harmful substances into communities around the country, in fear of the consequences they might face at the hands of the gang if they don’t do as they’re told.

“With drug dealing, also comes anti-social behaviour and violence which disrupts communities and makes people feel unsafe being outside their homes, which we won’t stand to tolerate.

“These particular gangs we’ve targeted and locked up here were supplying drugs into Hull, particularly in the East, Central and Avenues areas, and I’m confident we have made a significant dent in the drug crime there.

“We know this isn’t the end to organised crime or drug supply in the city though, and we won’t get complacent with our action taken. I’d continue to encourage members of the public to report any suspicious activity to us using 101, or 999 in an emergency, or through anonymous independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, so that we can continue with large scale takedowns like this.”

Some of the key results:

• Emilio Romano, 21 of Hadleigh Close received eight years imprisonment for supplying crack cocaine in the Spring Bank area of Hull, as well as for burglary, theft and handling stolen goods offences
• Keilan Macleod, 25 of Belmont Street received four years imprisonment for possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine in the Holderness Road area of Hull
• Alvin Kidega, 28 of High Path, London received five years seven months imprisonment for supplying heroin and crack cocaine in the Berkley Street area of Hull, following a vehicle stop in London
• Ben Rowbottom, 28 of Sefton Street received five years seven months imprisonment for supplying crack cocaine on Constable Street, Hull
• Lee Spicer, 36 of Chomley Street received three years eight months imprisonment for supplying heroin