Man jailed for 10 years over cocaine plot role

Andrew Bell was given a 10-year jail sentence for his role in the plot

A man has been handed a 10-year prison sentence for his role in a major cocaine supply plot.

Andrew Bell's part in the conspiracy was exposed by police when a 1kg (2.2lb) block of the drug was delivered to his home in Penrith, Cumbria, in January.

Carlisle Crown Court heard the "import-quality" drugs had been transported by 35-year-old courier Eyup Bayram from Bournmouth, Dorset, who was jailed for eight years.

Bell, 36, of Primrose Drive, admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine, possessing criminal property and illegally possessing a knuckleduster.

The court heard police watched as Bayram positioned his car a short distance from Bell's home, who then walked to the vehicle with a bag containing almost £27,000.

Bell sat in the car and collected the drugs before it moved closer to his home, where he then got out and went inside.

Turkish national Bayram did not leave immediately, the court heard.

Prosecutor Ben Stanley suggested that this may have been because Bayram was checking payment while Bell examined the product.

'Organised crime group'

Police who searched Bell's loft found the cocaine, various snap-seal bags, £22,000-plus in cash, digital scales with traces of white powder on them, smaller bags of cocaine and cocaine testing kits. A knuckleduster was also recovered.

Mr Stanley said: "Mr Bell operates the Penrith [wheel] spoke of what originates in the South West. He is buying wholesale amounts from the organised crime group, which he then has delivered to his home address."

Evidence showed Bayram made the same journey on seven occasions, between August and December last year, collecting cash after delivering what a judge concluded were 1kg or 2kg (4.4lb) amounts of cocaine to Bell.

Cash was seized from Andrew Bell's home

A jury convicted Bayram, of Lansdowne Road, Bournemouth, of the cocaine conspiracy offence, being concerned in supplying the drug and criminal property possession.

As part of the wider plot, police had seized 27.5kg (60.6lb) of cocaine, 19kg (42lb) in cutting agents, £167,000 cash and made a number of arrests, the court heard.

Defence lawyer Mark Shepherd, for Bell, said his criminal conduct came against the background of a gambling addiction, along with cocaine and alcohol use.

Recorder Mark Ainsworth noted gang leaders operated within southern England but its reach was "significant and, indeed, covered the entire length virtually of England".

The judge said: "My real sympathy in this case is for those whose lives have been blighted through the commercial supply of cocaine on to the streets of England and in particular, in this case, on to the streets of Cumbria.

"Drugs, such as cocaine, wreck lives. It can be devastating to relationships, to families."