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A Leeds grit importing business was a cover for a multi- million pound drug smuggling operation. Cannabis resin worth £800,000 was shipped in plastic drums to a Leeds warehouse, Leeds Crown Court was told. And, weeks later, Spanish police raided a warehouse in Barcelona and seized cannabis with a street value of just over £1.3m which was destined for Leeds.
Leeds Crown Court was told it was believed many more illegal consignments had slipped through the net before police closed down the criminal operation.
Undercover detectives were commended by the judge for an impressive operation which cut off drug routes being used by a gang to smuggle cannabis into Leeds.
Today ringleader Bruce Bitton, 40, was starting a nine-year jail sentence after being convicted of conspiracy to import the drug.
Five others were also sentenced for their roles in the operation.
The court heard former Leeds Rhinos rugby league star Leroy Rivett was acquitted by a jury earlier this year after being linked to the plot.
Richard Wright, prosecuting, said large quantities of cannabis resin were smuggled in for commercial supply and distribution.
The drug was hidden in blue plastic barrels normally used to transport a harmless grit-type material, backed up by forged documentation.
But Mr Wright said just over £800,000 worth of cannabis was found in the drums by police after watching a warehouse run by Anthony Brazil, 48, and his wife, Barbara, 47.
Mr Wright told the court that Brazil's business in Leathley Road, Leeds, was failing when they turned to crime. As the net closed in on them, others involved in the plot set up an alternative route to illegally import the drug into the UK.
Anthony Brazil, formerly of Primley Park Court, Alwoodley, Leeds, was jailed for three years for his part in the conspiracy. His wife was sentenced to 18 months, suspended for two years.
Passing sentence, Judge Stephen Ashurst told her husband: "Your business was used to give legitimate cover for drug dealing.
"You were tempted by the prospect of easy money when your business was on the rocks." The judge added: "I am sure you didn't know, at first, what you were letting yourself in for." He told Bitton, of Primley Park Lane, Alwoodley, the evidence revealed he was heavily involved in the conspiracy to import drugs.
Also sentenced after being convicted of conspiracy or being concerned in the importation of cannabis were: Andrew Stairmond, 38, of Buckthorne Drive, East Ardsley, Wakefield who was jailed for three years; Jason Williams, 29, of Highlands Close, Stourton, Leeds; and John Kerrigan, 37, of Lidgett Towers, Gledhow, Leeds, who were each sentenced to community punishment orders of 200 hours unpaid work.
Newshawk: User - 420 Magazine
Source: Leeds Today
Pubdate: 15 November 2006
Author: ROD HOPKINSON
Copyright: 2006 Leeds Today
Contact: Leeds Today
Website: Article Here
Leeds Crown Court was told it was believed many more illegal consignments had slipped through the net before police closed down the criminal operation.
Undercover detectives were commended by the judge for an impressive operation which cut off drug routes being used by a gang to smuggle cannabis into Leeds.
Today ringleader Bruce Bitton, 40, was starting a nine-year jail sentence after being convicted of conspiracy to import the drug.
Five others were also sentenced for their roles in the operation.
The court heard former Leeds Rhinos rugby league star Leroy Rivett was acquitted by a jury earlier this year after being linked to the plot.
Richard Wright, prosecuting, said large quantities of cannabis resin were smuggled in for commercial supply and distribution.
The drug was hidden in blue plastic barrels normally used to transport a harmless grit-type material, backed up by forged documentation.
But Mr Wright said just over £800,000 worth of cannabis was found in the drums by police after watching a warehouse run by Anthony Brazil, 48, and his wife, Barbara, 47.
Mr Wright told the court that Brazil's business in Leathley Road, Leeds, was failing when they turned to crime. As the net closed in on them, others involved in the plot set up an alternative route to illegally import the drug into the UK.
Anthony Brazil, formerly of Primley Park Court, Alwoodley, Leeds, was jailed for three years for his part in the conspiracy. His wife was sentenced to 18 months, suspended for two years.
Passing sentence, Judge Stephen Ashurst told her husband: "Your business was used to give legitimate cover for drug dealing.
"You were tempted by the prospect of easy money when your business was on the rocks." The judge added: "I am sure you didn't know, at first, what you were letting yourself in for." He told Bitton, of Primley Park Lane, Alwoodley, the evidence revealed he was heavily involved in the conspiracy to import drugs.
Also sentenced after being convicted of conspiracy or being concerned in the importation of cannabis were: Andrew Stairmond, 38, of Buckthorne Drive, East Ardsley, Wakefield who was jailed for three years; Jason Williams, 29, of Highlands Close, Stourton, Leeds; and John Kerrigan, 37, of Lidgett Towers, Gledhow, Leeds, who were each sentenced to community punishment orders of 200 hours unpaid work.
Newshawk: User - 420 Magazine
Source: Leeds Today
Pubdate: 15 November 2006
Author: ROD HOPKINSON
Copyright: 2006 Leeds Today
Contact: Leeds Today
Website: Article Here
