A drugs ring has today been sentenced to more than 40 years in prison for their part in supplying cocaine in Brighton.
Bottom row l to r: Carl Freeman, Kevin Freeman and Clarke.
Liverpudlian brothers Kevin and Carl Freeman worked with a gang of associates and relatives to supply drugs down to Brighton and Hove.
The ring was broken up following a raid on Avril Glasgow’s house in Ingram Crescent West, Hove in June last year.
However, charging the brothers was more complicated than usual as they had hidden the drugs inside their bottoms.
As police knew the drugs had gone inside the house, there was nowhere else they could be and so the pair were charged even though the drugs were still inside their bodies.
Using powers under the Criminal Justice Act officers then applied to magistrates to keep them in custody until nature took its course.
Faced with the possibility of another 14 days in police detention the pair gave up the drugs and were remanded to HMP Lewes.
Today, the brothers, Glasgow and seven others were sentenced at Hove Crown Court for their part in the ring.
Detective Sergeant Julian Deans, who led the investigation into this group, said: “This was a long and complicated investigation involving officers here in Sussex and our colleagues in Merseyside.
“We worked hard alongside our colleagues in Liverpool to bring these ten people to account for their actions by supplying drugs into our city. Glasgow allowed the group to use her home to help them prepare to sell the drugs.
“Our investigation has led to these people being convicted to more than 40 years in prison and sending out a warning to other people supplying drugs in our city, wherever you hide drugs and whatever you do, we will find you and we will make you pay the consequences.
“Kerwin and Reed did everything they could to hide the drugs from us including refusing food and drink while in custody but when they were charged they realised it was time to give up.
“Drug dealers who transport drugs into our city try more and more complex methods to evade detection by police officers.
“What we did with this organised crime group sends a clear and compelling message to drug dealers everywhere who think they can bring drugs into our city.
“Sussex Police will not tolerate drug supply within our city and we are not a soft touch and will do everything in our power to keep Sussex safe.”
Kevin Freeman, 35, and Carl Freeman, 36, both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, along with Kevin’s partner Lisa McGee, 33, of Cowley Road, Liverpool.
Their associates John Kerwin, 30 of Clarendon Road, Liverpool and Steven Reed, 29, of Woburn Close, Liverpool, along with Andrew Clarke, 32, of Bleadsale Road, Liverpool also pleaded to conspiracy.
Kevin and Carl Freeman’s aunt, Patricia Wood, 49, of Childers Street, Liverpool pleaded to money laundering along with Jade Owen, the partner of Reed, of also Woburn Close and Sophie Pearson, partner of Kerwin, also of Clarendon Road.
Avril Glasgow, 56, of Ingram Crescent West, Hove, who allowed the gang to use to home to supply the drugs from also pleaded guilty to allowing her premises to be used for drugs supply.
They all appeared at Hove Crown Court on Monday (August 4) and received sentences of more than 40 years. Kevin Freeman received nine years, Carl Freeman got eight years, Reed and Kerwin were given six years 11 months, McGee received four years 11 months and Clarke got five years four months.
Wood was given a 12 month community order. Pearson received a nine month suspended sentence, Owen an eight month suspended sentence and Glasgow a 10 month suspended sentence. They were all suspended for 18 months.
