10 sentenced over plot to post cannabis from US to Yorkshire
Members of the gang flew to California to oversee the export of the drug, with the packages being tracked using delivery apps to addresses in the UK.
Ten men have been sentenced over a plot to send cannabis in the post from the USA to Yorkshire.
Members of the gang flew to California to oversee the export of the drug, with the packages being tracked using delivery apps to addresses in the UK.
Customs Declaration Forms were filled in which claimed the parcels contained items such as clothing from a sportswear company.
Officers think over 260 parcels were sent from the States to the UK, with a total street value of around £800,000.
The drugs were sold across Yorkshire.
Appearing before Leeds Crown Court yesterday, eight men admitted to conspiracy to import cannabis between November 2017 and June 2018.
They were sentenced as follows:
- Karl Callaghan, aged 41, of Lupton Ave, Harehills, Leeds, was described as playing a leading role in the conspiracy, was sentenced to three years and 10 months .
- Dane Martin, aged 35, of HMP Nottingham, was sentenced to three years and seven months.
- Richard Sykes, aged 35, of Kingswear Glen, Austhorpe, Leeds, also admitted possession of cocaine and was sentenced to two years and five months.
- Jon Paul Sharp, aged 36, of Ludlow Ave, Garforth, Leeds was sentenced to two years and five months.
- Joseph Morton, aged 33, of Strawberry Ave, Garforth, Leeds, also admitted possession of criminal cash, and was sentenced to one year and 11 months, suspended for two years, 250 hours of unpaid work and 30 days’ rehabilitation activity requirement.
- Callum Kitchen, aged 31, of Fenton Lane, Sherburn in Elmet, also admitted possession of cocaine and was sentenced to 18 months, suspended for two years with 150 hours of unpaid work.
- Ryan Armitage, aged 34, of 17 Maple Close, South Milford, Selby, was sentenced to 18 months, suspended for two years and 150 hours of unpaid work.
- James Laycock, aged 38, of 32 Oaks Rd, Batley, was sentenced to 21 months, suspended for two years with 200 hours of unpaid work.
Separately 34 year old Jordan Lilliu, of Cawdell Way in Selby and 36 year old Daniel Kay of Kippax were sentenced to a four month curfew and unpaid work respectively - for conspiracy to import cannabis.
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Superintendent Al Burns of the YHROCU (Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit) said: “This was an organised and brazen attempt by a group of criminals to take advantage of legitimate postal and delivery companies to import illegal drugs into the UK.
“I’m grateful to our partner agencies both in the UK and the USA for their assistance in bringing these men to justice.”
“The impact of drugs is linked to wider criminality, including violent crime. It has no place in our communities.”