Final member of drugs ring to be let out in months

THE only member of the Teesside arm of a notorious drugs ring who is still behind bars will be released this summer.

- By ESTHER HALLIGAN

Craig Costello will leave Kirklevington Prison, in Yarm, on August 20 under the 40% early release scheme.

Costello, 42, began his nine-year-seven-month sentence in June 2022.

In addition to the 40% scheme, his release date also takes into account the time he has spent on remand.

The dad-of-four will be under a curfew and his movements will be monitored by an electronic tag.

Ahead of his release, Costello is allowed out on day release next week.

The former drugs trafficker was part of a global multi-million drugs operation - which succeeded in flooding the streets of Teesside with cocaine - alongside pals John ‘Winky’ Watson; Stephen Beazley and Dave Wright.