Members of Blackpool drugs plot that had "elements of modern day slavery" are jailed, with others to follow

The West Yorkshire criminals also exploited three young, impressionable youths, who were driven miles from home to 'cuckoo' the homes of street dealers.

The case was described as having "elements of modern day slavery" as prosecutor Jeremy Grout-Smith described how the operation depended, for a period of time, on facilitating the travel of the boys, aged 14, 14 and 16, to the resort, where they were under the defendants’ control, told where to go, what to do and when, arranged or given transport, or given a base from which to operate.

Lancashire Police launched Operation Ullswater to investigate the County Lines set up - a term used when criminals from bigger cities expand their drug dealing operations to smaller towns, often exploiting vulnerable people, and using designated phonelines.

Preston Crown Court heard the drugs conspiracy took place between May 1 and December 2, 2018, using three phone numbers collectively known as the "SJ phone".

After the first arrest, the criminal gang uploaded a rap video online showing Lancashire officers raiding a property, masked men making 'gun gestures', and a store sign with 'SJ' on it.

Mr Grout-Smith described Ryan Ncube, 21, of Scott Vale, Huddersfield, as "the driving force of the enterprise" and added: " He was based in Huddersfield as were the others and was part of an organised crime group calling itself BBD gang, christened after the Bradley, Brackenhall and Deighton areas of Huddersfield.

"It is a feature of this conspiracy that Ncube used younger males to cuckoo in houses in Blackpool and on at least three occasions they have been 14 and 16 years old."

The court heard Ncube managed dealing arrangements in Blackpool and controlled three phone lines.

Text and call patterns show he directed his Yorkshire-based drivers to drive his couriers to Blackpool where they delivered drugs to users, or ‘cuckooed’ drug users to direct and supply on his behalf, and they brought cash flowed back to Huddersfield.

Several properties were used in Blackpool, including addresses on Harrison Street, Reads Avenue, Condor Grove, Central Drive, and Grasmere Road.

Blanket text messages were sent to addicts from the SJ phone, and when a customer responded, middlemen and drug users in the resort were directed or dispatched to complete deals.

Judge Philip Parry said: " "All defendants in various ways conspired together to sell or to facilitate sale of drugs onto the streets of Blackpool.

"This drugs supply operation ran smoothly and was remarkably simple in its execution.

"Once in Blackpool the Huddersfield conspirators set themselves up in local drug users' homes and based their operations from there. This is classic cuckooing.

"County Lines dealing has been described as, and I quote, a 'pernicious trade' and as a 'horribly miserable trade' fuelling misery on the streets of the towns where dealers target."

He added the men had failed to grasp the "utter and abject misery" to those gripped by addiction, and the far reaching consequences on residents and businesses in Blackpool who "must have been disgusted" by the blatant activities.

Ncube, Cadwell, Brown, Njie, Annerville, and the 16-year-old admitted conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Ncube admitted two counts of facilitating the travel of another with a view to exploitation, and Brown admitted two counts of possessing a class A drug with intent to supply.

Ncube was jailed for seven and a half years.

Adam Birkby, defending, argued he had not enjoyed a lavish lifestyle through his crimes, and was still living at home with his mother in social housing. He added he was described as a "caring respectful young man" who wishes to offer the people of Blackpool a "sincere and public apology".

Tyrese Cadwell, 20, of Chestnut Street, Huddersfield, who was involved in dealing and managing dealers, got four years and nine months in a YOI.

James Gelsthorpe, defending, described he had suffered the loss of an unborn child and his mother's cancer diagnosis, but didn't seek to excuse his behavior.

Cadwell's cousin, Dakari Brown, 18, of Bulay Road, Huddersfield, was given five and a half years in a YOI. He managed street dealers in Blackpool and also dealt himself. On his arrest Brown said he was a ‘big gangster’ who would ‘smoke’ those who were arresting him.

Kara Frith said Brown had been motivated by financial reward and wanted to impress others.

Lewis Annerville, 20, of Keldergate Road, Huddersfield, who managed dealers in Blackpool, got three and a half years in a YOI.

Defending, Chloe Hudson said the dad-of-two had no drug convictions and there was "another side to him".

Sanchez Njie, 20, of Lea Farm Walk, Hawksworth, Leeds, managed three dealers and was also in contact with a 14-year-old the gang recruited.

He was jailed for five and a half years.

Defending him, Chris Smith said he had used his time on remand constructively.

Levontay Harriott, 18, was given two years six months in a YOI. Jeremy Barton said he was a child when the offences took place, and that he was susceptible to being easily led.

The sentences follow two lengthy trials. Two women and four men were sentenced for their roles in February and seven men will be sentenced over the next two days

The sentencing is thought to be one of the largest and longest conducted virtually at Preston Crown Court since the coronavirus outbreak, with most counsel and defendants attending via a system called CVP.

(proceeding)