Yorkshire man who ran 'mail order company' selling drugs across the country jailed
A Yorkshire man who ran a ‘mail order company’ selling drugs acorss the country has been jailed for more than two years.
Police were called to the home of Tony Cortez, in Danube Road, Hull, in relation to an unconnected incident when they discovered what was found to be cocaine and cannabis.
Further searches found more drugs hiding in concealed places throughout his home, while a search of his business premises uncovered a large amount of cash, along with bank cards in Cortez’s name, and his alias, a memory card, and his phone.
He was jailed for two years and three months at Hull Crown Court on Tuesday (Dec 16) after he admitted possession with intent to supply class A drugs and possession with intent to supply class B drugs.
Whilst in custody and during interview, Cortez claimed he had won the cash at a casino he frequented, he also refused to provide a pin code for his phone and answered no comment to all questions asked about his mobile device.
However, Humberside Police said after digital forensic officers worked on his phone, they discovered what was “essentially a mail order company selling and marketing cannabis products online”.
The force said Cortez, 34, was “playing the leading role in operating a nationwide wholesale drugs business distributing across London, Durham, Scotland, Belfast, Newcastle and Bournemouth”.
Police also said Cortez had a vision to grow his empire in order to make large amounts of money, and found messages on his phone included Cortez compiling price lists, brand logos, stock arrangements and marketing ideas for the operation.
Detective Constable Robyn Latus, who led the investigation into Cortez’s criminal activity, said: “We are committed to tackling drug dealing and distribution in our area and will take a proactive approach in putting offenders behind bars.
“Crimes of this nature remain a priority for us, and I am reassured that Cortez is now behind bars and unable to push dangerous drugs like cocaine and cannabis not only into our communities, but others across the country.
“I would like to thank our colleagues and partnering agencies for their continued support through investigations of this nature, but all the work they do to make a real difference and help take drugs off our streets.
“We investigate all information that we receive, and we would like to reassure members of the public that whilst you may not see immediate action, the information you provide helps us build the bigger picture of evidence to have the best possible chance of a sentence like we’ve seen here.”