Over 55 Years Behind Bars for County Lines Drug Gang
Six more members of a ruthless county lines drug gang in Grimsby have been locked up for a combined 20 years. This latest sentencing brings the total jail time for 11 gangsters to over 56 years — with one more still to be sentenced.
£1.38 Million of Class A Drugs Smuggled Into Grimsby
The crime bosses behind the operation were based in Merseyside and Cheshire. Over 18 months, they trafficked an eye-watering £1.38 million worth of heroin and crack cocaine into Grimsby.
Local criminals and outsiders were roped in as drug runners to flood the streets with poison.
“This investigation has been incredibly complex and multi-faceted,” said Detective Sergeant Darren Gray. “We worked closely with Merseyside Police, Cheshire Police, the Regional Organised Crime Unit and the National Crime Agency to build a watertight case.”
Key Players Nabbed in Dramatic Multi-City Raids
The probe began in late 2017 after a burglary suspect’s phone revealed drug dealings. After months of covert surveillance and intelligence gathering, police swooped on Grimsby, Liverpool, and Warrington in March last year.
Leslie Aytoun, 49, from Liverpool’s Lochinvar Street, ran the drug ‘graft’ phone, orchestrating pickups across Grimsby. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and was sentenced to 11 years behind bars.
Scott Hendry, 27, controlled the local and non-local drug runners and grabbed a hefty 14-year sentence. Andres Vassou, 30, who ferried drugs between Liverpool and Grimsby, was locked up for eight years.
Other Gang Members Also Locked Up
- Trevor Willoughby and Lisa Michaelson, both of Grimsby, got 14 months each for letting their premises be used for drug supply.
- Craig Owen from Barton received nearly 4 years for conspiracy and threatening violence.
- Jordan West (Hull) was jailed for 2 years and 3 months; sentencing for Korban Price deferred.
- Cheshire’s Dean Hall got eight months for conspiracy to supply drugs.
- Jamie Shaw, Lee Healey, and Reece Navarro were sentenced between 2 years 8 months to 9 years.
“We know the misery drugs and related crime bring to our communities,” said DS Gray. “These criminals often exploit children and vulnerable people. Our message is clear: we will not tolerate organised crime and will keep fighting until these groups are dismantled.”
Call for Public Help: Crack Down on Drugs
DS Gray urged locals to keep reporting drug-related crime. “Even if you don’t see immediate results, your information is vital. Together, we can keep targeting criminals and cleaning up our streets.”
If you have information, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
