WIREDGOV

Three men who plotted to traffic more than £1m worth of Class A and B drugs into the UK have been jailed for a total of 24 years.

The organised crime group, headed by Robert Anthony Hall in conjunction with his brother Thomas James Hall and their associate David Thompson conspired to import multi kilo quantities of cocaine from crime groups in Europe to distribute to criminal networks in throughout the UK.

Sentencing the three men, His Honour Recorder Slater said: “This was a well organised and expertly executed drug dealing operation.”

The joint National Crime Agency and Durham Police investigation into the criminal activities of this high level criminal enterprise began in 2012. Intelligence indicated a number of handovers were scheduled between couriers from Liverpool and Derbyshire crime groups and Hall’s criminal group.

Under surveillance, the crime groups continued to operate with the couriers being arrested at each handover. A total of five men have so far been jailed for more than 20 years and approximately £55,000 cash forfeited.  A financial investigation is now underway.

The investigation continued into the activities of the Hall brothers and their associate Thompson. Forensic analysis and communications data led to a day of action in May 2013 were all three men were arrested.

Robert Anthony Hall and David Thompson pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Supply Class A and Class B drugs in October 2013. Robert Hall received a 13 year sentence, and Thompson 4 and a half years.

Thomas James Hall initially pleaded not guilty and on 4th November 2013 changed his plea to guilty immediately prior to the trial commencing at Teesside Crown Court. He was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment.

DCI Victoria Fuller from Durham Police said, “Operation Sledgehammer continues to target organised criminals operating at all levels to prevent them from blighting the lives of the communities we serve. This is yet another example of how effective partnership working can provide such positive results. This group who have intimidated the public within a small East Coast village under the guise of operating a legitimate business are now behind bars.”

NCA’s Jane Johnson said: “Drugs destroy communities and these men had no regard for the misery and damage they were causing. They will now be joining their colleagues in prison. The NCA will continue to work with partners, both here and overseas, to ensure organised crime groups responsible for trafficking illegal drugs into the UK are held accountable for their actions.”