A senior member of a drug gang has been jailed after he claimed he was a dog breeder selling XL bully dogs.
Kevin Hill, of Tarbock Road, Speke, led a Merseyside organised crime group that was responsible for the distribution of wholesale amounts of cocaine to Herefordshire between May 2021 and February 2022. The 48-year-old took over the illegal enterprise from his twin brother Keith Hill, of Ridgemoor Road, Leominster, who himself is currently serving a nine-year jail sentence.
West Mercia Police said the brothers were at the pinnacle of the organisation, and it's estimated that they distributed in excess of a kilo of cocaine. The police operation managed to gather significant mobile phone evidence which implicated Hill, with him pleading guilty and receiving a reduced sentence, Birmingham Live reports.
READ MORE: Mum made teen her 'sexual play thing' and had baby with him
Initially, Hill had said that he was a dog breeder and received payments marked up for the sale of XL Bully dogs but this was disproven. Evidence was gathered that demonstrated Hill had a number of contacts in and around Herefordshire, who were themselves dealers in their own right. Hill was sentenced to nine years in jail for supplying cocaine and possessing offensive weapons on Monday, June 13 at Worcester Crown Court.
This included 23-year-old Callum Smith, of Princess Avenue, Hereford, who was sentenced to six years seven months and 32-year-old Nathaniel Singleton, of Mortimer Street, Leominster, who was sentenced to 33 months. On October 13, 2021, Nathaniel Singleton was arrested and found in possession of £24,000 of cocaine.
On January 19, 2022, Callum Smith was arrested and found in possession of several hundred pounds worth of cocaine. These drugs were supplied by Kevin Hill.
Detective Sergeant Jamie Bullock said: “People involved in this line of work should be mindful that at no point did we seize drugs or money from Kevin Hill. Those in a similar position should use this sentence as a warning that they could be next.
“Anyone with any concerns about potential drug crime is urged to get in touch. We act on all reports we receive.” You can call 101 or visit https://www.westmercia.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/.
