Prison cell cocaine operation brought down as four plead guilty

In January 2026 officers from the Kinetic Organised Crime Group Team received intelligence about a mobile phone number being used to advertise and sell Class A cocaine in Bridlington and the surrounding area.

Detectives discovered the number was part of a network of "burner phones" sending bulk text messages advertising cocaine.

Their investigation identified Liam Langton, 28 from Scarborough, Lewis Wenn, 29 from Cottingham, and Jordan Withey, 27 from Bridlington, as key members of the drugs line.

On March 4, 2026, police carried out warrants in Bridlington and Scarborough.

Liam Langton and Withey were arrested.

During a search of Withey's home, officers found a significant quantity of Class A drugs and around £7,000 in cash believed to be linked to criminal activity.

As officers entered Liam Langton's address, he tried to throw a mobile phone outside, the court heard.

Police recovered the phone, which contained evidence linking him to the drugs network and conversations with his brother, Nathan Langton, who was directing the operation from prison.

Detailed analysis of mobile data, CCTV and financial enquiries revealed how members of the group travelled together while operating the drugs and worked collectively to advertise, prepare and distribute cocaine.

The court was also told one piece of CCTV captured Lewis Wenn purchasing a top up voucher for one of the drug line phones before leaving in a vehicle insured by Liam Langton.

Officers also established that Jordan Withey stored cocaine and criminal cash at his property in Bridlington.

Both Jordan Withey and Liam Langton were brought into custody to be questioned and subsequently charged and remanded.

On April 1, Lewis Wenn was traced to a holiday property near South Cave where two mobile phones recovered during his arrest showed messages arranging the supply of cocaine.

Detectives also uncovered conversations between Wenn and a contact saved as “Fat”, later identified as Nathan Langton.

The exchanges revealed discussions around the preparation and sale of drugs, while Nathan openly boasted about continuing to make substantial amounts of money despite being behind bars and referred to plans involving drones delivering prohibited items into prison, the court heard.

On May 7, officers from a specialist prison search team searched Nathan Langton’s cell.

As they entered, he dived into bed before eventually handing over a concealed mobile phone.

Examination of the device confirmed it had been used to contact the drugs line and communicate with associates outside prison.

Following its seizure, the drugs line ceased operating.

All four members pleaded guilty at Hull Crown Court on Monday (Jul 13).

Nathan Langton,, Liam Langton, and Lewis Wenn each pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply class A cocaine.

Jordan Withey pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply class A cocaine, possession with intent to supply class A cocaine, and possession of criminal property.

All four men are due to be sentenced on July 28, 2026, at Hull Crown Court.

Officer in the case, Police Constable Karl Freeman said: “This investigation is a perfect example of organised crime not being glamorous or untouchable.

“It’s a group of individuals motivated by money, willing to exploit addiction and bring harm into our communities. Even after three of his associates had been arrested, Nathan still tried to keep the drugs line alive, convinced he could stay one step ahead, which inevitably failed.

“Thanks to the dedication of our officers, specialist analysts and our partners within the prison service, four people who played significant roles in this network face the consequences.

“Every organised crime group we dismantle makes our communities safer, disrupts the supply of dangerous drugs and sends a clear message that there is nowhere criminals can hide, not even behind prison walls.

“We continue to take part in the multi-agency Home Office Clear Hold Build Initiative in Bridlington, which has involved large scale disruption of those involved in organised crime through warrants, arrests and charges, as we do all we can to remove them and the harmful drugs they distribute to our streets.

“Thank you to members of the public who continue to report information to us. We investigate all information that we receive, so please don’t worry if you don’t see immediate action. It enables us to build the bigger picture of evidence to have the best possible chance of a positive court outcome. Please keep talking to us if you have any information about crime in your area.”