Newton Aycliffe cocaine courier jailed for role in lucrative pandemic drugs operation

Nathan Houghton was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday 5 January for his role in a lucrative drugs ring between March and July 2020. Credit: Northumbria Police

A cocaine courier who supplied drugs during the Covid pandemic has been jailed for more than four years.

Nathan Houghton was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday 5 January for his role in a lucrative drugs ring between March and July 2020.

Houghton, 25, of Wakenshaw Drive, Newton Aycliffe, was sentenced to 49 months imprisonment after previously pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of a Class A Drug.

He was one of a group of 12 caught out by police during a surveillance operation which saw their encrypted messages infiltrated.

Numerous properties were raided across Northumberland, Newcastle and Durham and police recovered three kilos of cocaine with a street value of £135,000, and £260,000 of suspected criminal cash. 

Following an investigation, seven people were jailed for a combined total of more than 40 years at the Newcastle Crown Court back in December.

Those previously jailed are:

  • Liam Pow, 34, of Wreay Walk in Cramlington, was jailed for 14 years and four months.

  • Scott Ridley, 32, of Walkerfield Court in Newcastle, was jailed for nine years and four months.

  • Tiffany Day, 30, also of Walkerfield Court denied her involvement but was found guilty following a trial, and jailed for three years.

  • Christopher Phillips, 30, of Clapham Avenue, Newcastle was jailed for four years and six months.

  • Alexander Peter James Bales, 25, of Ida Place Newton Aycliffe, was jailed for four years and nine months.

  • Jace Michael Farrell, 26, of Phoenix Place in Newton Aycliffe, was jailed for four years and nine months.

  • David Storey, 29, of Welbeck Road, Walker was jailed for five years and one month.

Four further men are due to be sentenced later this year.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Marc Michael from the force’s crime department, said: “I am pleased that the court continues to recognise the harm this organised crime group poses to our communities through selling illegal, class A drugs.

“Houghton may not have been the main player in this operation but he was happy to be a part of it, delivering drugs and cash to various locations and being paid for this so-called work.

“He initially denied his involvement in police interview but then admitted his guilt in court and I am pleased he is now behind bars – like the rest of his associates.

“Drugs like cocaine have no place in our communities and anyone involved in its storage, supply or distribution will continue to be pursued under the banner of Operation Sentinel – our dedicated initiative to tackling serious and organised crime.”

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