Network brought 'significant quantities' of drugs to region

THREE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SENTENCED FOR THEIR INVOLVEMENT FOLLOWING A 'COMPLEX' INVESTIGATION

- By MARK PAGE [e-mail] @markwpage

THREE people have been sentenced after a criminal network that brought “significant quantities” of drugs into East Yorkshire was shut down. A “complex” investigation was needed to dismantle the organised drug supply across county lines which saw class A drugs sourced in West Yorkshire pushed to street level in Bridlington.

Tens of thousands of pounds in cash, and cocaine worth hundreds of thousands of pounds on the streets was seized by officers during their enquiries. The three offenders connected to the lengthy investigation were sentenced at Hull Crown Court last week.

Mason Markham, 30, of Industrial Avenue, Birstall, was found to have “directed the operation throughout.” He replaced people and relaunched phone lines as others were arrested to keep the enterprise running.

Markham pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A cocaine and possession of criminal property. He was sentenced to 12 years behind bars and was handed a Serious Crime Prevention Order of five years which will take effect upon his release from prison.

Nathan Cunningham, 31, of Albion Street, Dewsbury, admitted conspiracy to supply class A cocaine. He was sentenced to three years and four months behind bars. Venetia Webb, 31, of Prickett Road, Bridlington, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A cocaine. She received a suspended sentence of one year and ten months.

An investigation began in April 2024 as specialist detectives from Humberside Police conducted drugs warrants at addresses in Bridlington that were suspected to be linked to the network. On April 16 that year, officers seized £85,000 in cash and around £320,000 worth of cocaine from a 35-year-old man, a known associate of Markham.