North East gang smuggled cannabis into country from Thailand

A number of drug mules were arrested trying to bring back huge quantities of the Class B drug from Thailand stashed in their suitcases.

Police carried out raids in the Bishop Auckland and Shildon areas where they recovered some of the suitcases and evidence that the group had brought 1.3tonne of the drug into the country.

A house in Shildon was being used as a warehouse for the cannabis as well as kilos of cocaine.

Jordan Stoker was identified as the lynchpin of the North East gang, which smuggled cannabis from Thailand, along with his trusted lieutenant Paul Lamb.

Drug lynchpin Jordan Stoker, left, with his trusted lieutenant Paul Lamb, right (Image: North East Regional Organised Crime Unit)

The pair were jailed for 19 years and seven years two months respectively for their roles in the illicit enterprise when they appeared at Teesside Crown Court.

Three brothers, who lived in the drug storage house on Teessdale Walk, Shildon, were also jailed for their part in the industrial scale processing of cannabis and cocaine.

Ian Sowerby, 32, was sentenced to ten years and ten months while 30-year-old Christopher and Shaun, 37, were sentenced to 13 years and one month in custody.

Stoker’s father, Brian, was also jailed for five years and two months for helping to ferry around the mules and drugs at the behest of his son.

While his mother, Sarah Leighton, and brother, Ethan Smith, were given suspended prison sentences after they were involved in counting up the huge sums of cash involved in the drugs operation.

Drugs seized as part of the operation to take down Jordan Stoker and his gang (Image: North East Regional Organised Crime Unit)

Speaking after the sentencing, North East Regional Organised Crime Unit Detective Inspector Simon Drenon, who led the investigation, said: “This is a great result for the region and a fierce display of partnership working demonstrating a united front against drug supply.

See more court stories from The Northern Echo by clicking here

• Rapists, burglar and fraudster among those facing justice in July

• Innocent: Darlington man cleared of sexually abusing young girl in his home

• Homeless shoplifter had tent set alight while sleeping rough in churchyard

Unlock unlimited local news subscribe today and save on an annual subscription. Enjoy access to our ad-free mobile and tablet app, as well as the digital edition of the paper. Don’t miss out – subscribe now! Click here for details.

“I want to thank everyone involved in this investigation, it has been incredibly complex and due to the hard work by everyone, we have been able to see a fantastic result at court.

“We hope this sends a strong message to criminals – we have specialist teams with excellent resources at their disposal that remain dedicated to carrying out lengthy and complex investigations to target and pursue suspects, no matter where you travel or reside – there is nowhere to hide.”

DI Drenon added: “Organised drug supply, in whatever form, leads to a range of other issues such as violence and exploitation and we know profits from drugs are often then invested in wider organised crime such as continued Class A drug supply, firearms, modern slavery and child sexual exploitation.

“Under the wider banner of Operation Sentinel we will continue to pursue offenders and disrupt criminals who seek to make a profit from supplying drugs and harming our North East communities.”