A drugs gang used a van with a secret trap door and encrypted phones to ship high purity cocaine and amphetamine onto the streets of Tyneside.
Head Honcho John Allock and members of his North East-based band of dealers are facing lengthy prison sentences after they were convicted following a trial which went on for 22 weeks.
During the complex investigation by officers from the North East Regional Special Operations Unit, Allcock and trusted lieutenant, Carl McAlindon, were monitored as they ran their illicit business, buying and sourcing drugs from members of an organised crime group in the North West.
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Allcock would regularly travel to Liverpool and Manchester to meet with associates and was observed visiting an industrial unit which the group had access to, and which is suspected to have been used to store large quantities of amphetamine, which he later bought and employed couriers to distribute.
Newcastle Crown Court heard how the men attempted to evade detection by conducting shady face-to-face business meetings, as well as via encrypted devices and also used a number of tactics to frustrate police activity.
After a lengthy period of surveillance on the group, officers made their first move and arrested Liverpool-based courier Paul Marrow on September 15, 2017 on the A1 in Durham.
With the assistance of a drugs dog, a hidden electronically operated compartment complete with a trap door was found inside his white van and contained a block of high purity cocaine worth around £180,000.
Then in November, police recovered almost £50,000 in cash after a targeted vehicle stop in Lincolnshire. A search of the van revealed the cash secreted beneath a fixed heavy-duty boot-liner under a pile of tools.
The dismantling of the group continued into 2018 when officers arrested two more couriers, Baber Azim and Glen Stoddart.
Azim was intercepted as he travelled through the Cleveland area in possession of cash and a kilo of cocaine, and Stoddart was caught in Swansea having travelled there with £250,000 worth of cannabis, and later collecting £21,250 in cash.
Allcock, who was living in Spain, was later arrested with the help of the National Crime Agency in a final swoop by officers determined to bring the conspiracy to an end.
As part of their investiation, officers seized more than £120,000 cash, 65 kilos of cannabis and mixing agents, as well as class A drugs.
The group were subsequently charged with a string of drugs and money laundering offences and have now been convicted as follows:
- John Allcock, 52, of Hillmeadows, Willington, County Durham was found guilty of Conspiracy to Supply Class A and B drugs and money laundering.
- Carl McAlindon, 36, of Abbey Drive, Jarrow was found guilty of Conspiracy to Supply Class A and B Drugs and money laundering.
- Bernard Sewell, 41, of Roman Road, Hebburn was found guilty of Conspiracy to Supply Class B drugs but found not guilty of Conspiracy to supply Class A Drugs.
- Mark Hiscock, 46, of Cheviot Rorad, South Shields was found guilty of money laundering but found not guilty of Conspiracy to supply Class B drugs.
- David McFarlane, 53 of Hadrian Road, Jarrow was found guilty of money laundering but found not guilty of Conspiracy to Supply Class B drugs.
- Glen Stoddart, 53, of Mariner's Point, Hartlepool was found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, money laundering and participating in activities of an Organised Crime Group.
- Paul Marrow, 62, of Rainford Road, Dentons Green, Merseyside, admitted Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs
- Baber Azim, 43, of Kendridge Road, Slough admitted Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and money laundering.
Michael Vassallo, 42, of South Shields had been charged with Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs but was found not guilty by the jury.
After the convictions, Detective Inspector Steve Pescod said: “I hope this case send a strong message to anyone who thinks they can turn a profit from supplying illegal, harmful substances in our towns and cities.
“Allcock ran a sophisticated and significant operation worth millions of pounds, which, thanks to the hard work and dedication of officers has now been shut down, and the proceeds seized.
“Thanks to this investigation, members of two organised crime groups, ranging from couriers to those leading the businesses were brought before the courts and held accountable for their shameless and despicable offending.
"I am pleased the jury have found them guilty and look forward to seeing what sentences are handed down, as these convictions undoubtedly make our region a better place.
“These men were brazen offenders who were working together to maximise profits, without a care for the vulnerable people caught up in their activity. Not only did they hide what they were doing through the use of encrypted phones and swapping sim cards, but also denied their roles before a court and refused to accept blame and take responsibility.
“As part of Operation Sentinel, our dedicated initiative here in the North East which tackles organised crime, officers at NERSOU are working tirelessly alongside their Force counterparts to identify and stop people involved in this type of criminality, and bring them to justice.
“We will continue to work with our partners to disrupt and dismantle those illicit operations seeking to make money from selling drugs, as well as working hard to ensure those caught up in the effects of organised crime are given the help and support they need.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the officers and staff involved in this lengthy investigation and hope their efforts reassure the community that we are committed to tackling organised crime.”
The group will be sentenced at a later date.
