Three jailed for roles in £385k drug supply plot

A DRUG-DEALING trio from Newcastle who conspired to supply cocaine across the North East have been jailed for a combined total of 15 years.

- By OWEN YOUNGER

Stephen Cherry, Robi Kingswell and Robbie Bowman attempted to move the Class A substance throughout the region between March and June 2020.

The men attempted to hide their offending by using 'Encrochat' encrypted messaging however they were soon the focus of an investigation by specialist officers working as part of Operation Venetic.

It soon emerged that Cherry led the conspiracy by organising deliveries with Kingswell, who acted as a storeman, and as a courier alongside Bowman.

The Northumbria Police investigation found that the trio coordinated the supply of 11 kilos of cocaine, which is valued in excess of £385,000.