Three men have been jailed for the role they played in a "slick" Newcastle cocaine drug conspiracy.
David Storey, 29, Alexander Bales, 25, and Jace Farrell, 26, were 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 following a surveillance operation by Northumbria Police.
READ MORE: Kenton killer who stabbed 'precious son' to death in his bedroom jailed
The three men appeared in Newcastle Crown Court on Friday to be sentenced after pleading guilty for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
The court heard the defendants were part of a bigger operation being run by Liam Pow, 33, and his first lieutenant Scott Ridley, 32, who have already been sentenced to 14 years and four months and nine years and four months in prison respectively.
The court heard three kilos of cocaine was found during a police raid on July 15, with 26 kilos of cocaine believed to have passed through the hands of the drug gang over a four month period during the first coronavirus lockdown.
Gavin Doig, prosecuting, said Storey, Bales, and Farrell were "well down the hierarchy" and were involved in the storage of cash and transportation of drugs.
Farrell, of Phoenix Place, in Newton Aycliffe, and Bales, of Ida Place, Newton Aycliffe, were acting as couriers and bringing the drugs to Newcastle from the Darlington, County Durham, and North Yorkshire areas and taking cash back down, the court was told.
The court heard Storey's role in the operation was providing a safe house for the cash and when the police raided his property on Welbeck Road, Walker, in July a bag containing £76,000 was found.
During mitigation, the court heard all three men had no previous convictions relating to drugs and were effectively of good character but turned to crime during the coronavirus lockdown.
Rachel Hedworth, defending Storey, said he only had cash on four occasions and when police searched his home address he was unaware of the amount in the bag and it was a "surprise to him".
Ms Hedworth said he was described as a hardworking, loyal and kind individual in a number of character references submitted to the court.
James Bourne-Arton, defending Farrell, said he was a qualified welder and was "in effect set up for life but unfortunately covid happened and he was furloughed".
Mr Bourne-Arton said he has returned to full time employment.
Robert Mochrie, defending Bales, said he found himself in a desperate state both emotionally and financially when the covid pandemic hit.
He added: "It is two years of more since Mr Bales made a significant error in judgement and since then has got his life back on track."
On sentencing, Judge Edward Bindloss described the operation as "slick" and described the men as "naïve and immature" when they took part.
But Judge Bindloss said they were all expecting to make a "significant financial gain" by taking part.
Storey was jailed for five years and one month, while Farrell and Bales were both jailed for four years and nine months.
READ NEXT:
- Newcastle dad fractured partner's skull after throwing aftershave bottle during row
- Investigation continues into Sunderland multi-vehicle crash as police issue appeal
- Ashington burglar stole woman's make-up and toiletries after raiding shed and stealing bike
- Newcastle teen sold class A psychedelic drugs to undercover police officer
- Forest Hall man bombarded ex with abusive messages and calls during campaign of harassment
