Husband and wife among trio jailed over drugs stash

Philip and Nicola Dyer admitted conspiring to supply large amounts of cocaine

A married couple have been jailed after police discovered a large stash of cocaine in a farm stable block.

Nicola Dyer, 40, of Marina Court, Burton Waters, Lincoln, took over Philip Dyer's drugs operation when he was jailed for drugs and money laundering offences in 2018, Lincoln Crown Court was told.

Police later discovered the cocaine along with cutting agents and a hydraulic press in the stables in Greetwell, near Lincoln.

The pair and Nicola Dyer's stepfather, Romualdas Budrys, 70, admitted conspiring to supply Class A drugs between March 2017 and June 2019.

Phillip Plant, prosecuting, described the operation as a "major enterprise".

'Profitable operation'

Philip Dyer, 45, was already in jail after police searched a farm in Navenby, near Sleaford. In mitigation, Dominic Thomas said he accepted being the originator of the drug dealing operation and had not left jail since March 2018.

Clare Wade KC, mitigating for Nicola Dyer, said she became involved because of her children.

"There was some pressure," Miss Wade said, adding that she had "now established a new life away from her husband".

Chris Jeyes, in mitigation for Budrys, said he played a lesser role in the operation and had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

Philip Dyer was given nine years and four months in prison, Nicola Dyer was sentenced to six years and four months, and Budrys was given three years and four months.

Passing sentence, Recorder Graham Huston said: "This was a very significant and profitable operation."

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices