Mansfield soldier jailed for leading frozen chicken drugs operation
The criminal network smuggled millions in drugs across the country
A former British Army bomb disposal soldier from Mansfield has been jailed for leading a major drugs operation involving concealed shipments of drugs in frozen chicken.
Samuel Newton, 41, stored £3.8 million worth of drugs in his garage after importing them into the country, Nottinghamshire Police said.
Newton, who joined the Army at 16, led the operation and bought luxury items such as vehicles with his profits.
He was arrested in December 2021 when police found cocaine and ketamine inside his van after it broke down on the M62.
Further investigation led police to his home in Bryony Way, Mansfield, where they discovered heroin and cash.
Overall, drugs seized from Newton had an estimated street value of up to £4.76 million.
Newton pleaded guilty to drug and criminal property charges and was sentenced to 14 years in prison in March.
Sentences were also given to four others involved in the conspiracy at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday.
Among those sentenced was Newton’s partner Abi Holbrook, 32, who received a suspended sentence for her role, and her father Gavin Holbrook, who was jailed for five years.
Another conspirator, Amiel King, a former Army veteran, received a jail sentence for drug trafficking charges.
Detective Inspector Ian Smith stated that the investigation had dismantled the criminal network and highlighted the harm caused by Newton to vulnerable communities.
Newton, along with his accomplices, reportedly transported 1,472kg of drugs throughout the UK, with an estimated street value of up to £147 million.