Three members of the same York family have been jailed for a total of 29 years for running a business supplying heroin across the city.
They were busted following an extensive North Yorkshire Police surveillance operation, which plotted their movements supplying drugs via a web of local dealers.
Percy Smith and Coralena Smith, both 47, and 25-year-old Nathaniel Smith, all of Ryedale Caravan Site, York, have been found guilty of conspiracy to supply heroin.
At Bradford Crown Court today (Monday May 14) Percy and Coralena were both jailed for 12 years and Nathaniel was handed a five year prison sentence.
Over a two month period of surveillance, the three members of the Smith family were recorded on multiple occasions picking up quantities of heroin from two ‘stash’ sites near to their caravan plot at Clifton Moor.
After picking up the package, they were captured returning to their caravan. Then they emerged a short time later to meet known drug dealers in the city.
They handed over deal-sized packages of the class A drug, for onward supply to street users.
The family were also seen by officers, concealing smaller wraps of heroin within the recesses of the plastic handrail on the stairs which led to their caravan.
Drugs and cash recovered
In the early hours of Tuesday 29 November 2016, two drug warrants were executed simultaneously at the Smith’s caravan and also at a property on Burtree Avenue in Skelton.
The two stash sites near the Smith’s caravan were also searched, with officers recovering a quantity of heroin with a street value of £14,500, which was concealed in a drainpipe near an entrance to the caravan site, off Oakdale Road in York.
- a handbag stuffed with £1,500 in cash
- more than £4,000 in cash stored in a bedside cabinet
- and six black bags containing £61,000 in cash, found hidden in the divan section of a double bed.
The sentences
- Guilty of conspiracy to supply heroin, and of being in possession of criminal property
- Twelve year prison sentence
- Guilty of conspiracy to supply heroin
- Five year prison sentence
Mark Davyd Ella, 43, of no fixed address
Hannah Jane Kirby, 36, of Hudson House, Toft Green, York
- Guilty of conspiracy to supply heroin
- Six year prison sentence each
James Ian Ramsey, 31, of Flaxley Road, Selby
- Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin
- Suspended prison sentence of 16 months, suspended for two years
- Also ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and received a six-month drug referral
An extensive operation
Surveillance footage of Percy and Coralena Smith
Detective Inspector Nichola Holden described the “extensive investigation”, involving months of detailed surveillance by the Organised Crime Unit.
They watched not only the movements of these members of the Smith family but also the associated dealers and runners who were supplying heroin into York.
She said: “The hours of detailed investigation carried out by numerous officers and the joint working with the City of York Council, to bring the offenders and their associates to justice, demonstrates the sheer determination of North Yorkshire Police and our partners agencies to stamp out drug dealing in the city.
“We will continue to work with our partners and the public to tackle serious and organised crime in our communities.”