County lines gang jailed for £1.38m class A drugs operation in Grimsby

The five ringleaders behind the drugs operation were based in Merseyside and Cheshire, transporting heroin and crack cocaine into the seaside town over an 18-month period.

The gang then used local people and people from outside the area to sell the drugs.

Following a lengthy Humberside Police operation, five members of the organised crime group have been jailed for a combined total of 36 years and 7 months.

Detective Inspector Phil Booker, leading the investigation, said: “We have worked very closely with Merseyside and Cheshire Police, as well as the Regional Organised Crime Unit and the National Crime Agency, to thoroughly and comprehensively carry out this investigation, which has culminated in the success we have seen today at court.

“Towards the latter end of 2017, an arrest was made for an unrelated burglary in the Merseyside area, and the offender’s mobile phone was seized and digitally and forensically examined, with messages indicating he was involved in the supply of class A drugs.

“From this time, both overt and covert action has taken place with extensive enquiries carried out as part of the investigation, which ultimately led to the simultaneous execution of three warrants on Thursday, March 21 last year in Grimsby, Liverpool and Warrington, which resulted in the arrests of the ringleaders.”

Arrested in Warrington, Scott Hendry, 27, of Longshaw Street, controlled the drug runners in Grimsby.

Arrested in Grimsby on Catherine Street, but from Liverpool, Andres Vassou, 30, of Queens Drive, Stoneycroft, was the transportation to resupply the drugs, travelling between Liverpool and Grimsby by car and train.

Both were charged with two counts each of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs – one for heroin and one for crack cocaine – between September 2017 and March 2019.

Hendry was found guilty of both offences following a week-long trial at Sheffield Crown Court that ended in March 2020.

He was sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Vassou pleaded guilty to the charges at an earlier court hearing and was sentenced eight years in prison.

Humberside Police continued their enquiry and further arrests were made.

DI Booker added: "Through extensive investigations and enquiries, information from the public and realms of data examined and interpreted, we were able to build up a very clear picture as to who else was involved and identify a number of other individuals"

In Merseyside, Lee Healey, also known as Lee Blackburn, 33, of Centenary Close, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, one for heroin and one for crack cocaine, between September 2017 and March 2019.

He was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Reece Navarro, 20, of Hillside Road, Liverpool, and Jamie Shaw, also known as Jamie Blythe, 23, of Pine Road, Runcorn, Cheshire, also pleaded guilty to the same offences.

Navarro was sentenced to 32 months in prison and Shaw sentenced to 35 months.

DI Booker added: “We know the effect that drugs and the associated crime and antisocial behaviour that comes with it has on our communities. It brings misery to residents in the areas these groups think they can set up business and it’s an issue we take incredibly seriously.

“We will not tolerate any type of organised crime and we work very closely with other forces and organisations to build intelligence as to where these groups are operating, and more often than not exploiting children and vulnerable people in order to line their own pockets.

“The result today should send out a very clear message to anyone who is involved in the supply of drugs and dealing that we will not stop in our efforts to dismantle your groups and disrupt your criminality and bring you before the courts.

“I would always encourage the public to please, continue telling us about any type of drug-related crime or concerns in your area, or to make contact with Crimestoppers completely anonymously on 0800 555111. With your help, we can collate the intelligence we need to continue to target those behind it and take action against them.

“While you might not see the results straight away, take this case as an example and feel rest assured that the information you provide us is vital in piecing together successful operations, that result in a number of people being sent to prison and what really makes a difference in the long-term.”