Bradford court sentences members of organised crime group

The head of the group, 34-year-old Brighouse dad-of-three Jamie Whitehead, used the name of Hollywood actor George Clooney while one of his trusted lieutenants Ben Hardy, 31, used superstar Tom Cruise and former Manchester United footballer Eric Cantona.

Jamie Whitehead (Image: West Yorkshire Police)

A judge today (Thursday) commended a team of police officers and staff who he said had “dismantled” the gang’s operation which had been spreading drugs and misery throughout the region and beyond.

Whitehead was said to have directed other members from his base in Barcelona, but he was finally arrested in May 2021 following a police surveillance operation near his home in Clifton Common, Brighouse.

Prosecutor James Lake said Whitehead was stopped driving his Audi SQ5 and when it was searched officers found bundles of banknotes totalling about £37,000.

Bradford Crown Court heard that during a search at a property linked to Whitehead officers also found expensive watches.

Mr Lake said analysis of messaging on two encrypted communication apps suggested that the overall conspiracy could have involved at least 100 kilograms of cocaine, but Whitehead and his other trusted lieutenant Thomas Stead, 34, had accepted involvement in up to 50 kilograms of the Class A drugs.

The court heard that Whitehead had continued with the drugs conspiracy even after Hardy had been arrested back in December 2020.

Mr Lake said the organised crime group had been involved in the wholesale distribution of massive quantities of cocaine as well as the wholesale supply of heroin and cannabis.

The court heard that the group used specially adapted vehicles which were fitted with concealed “hides” to transport drugs and they also used safe houses for storing drugs and cash.

Mr Lake said analysis of the messaging on the EncroChat and Signal apps suggested that between March and November 2020 the group had been involved with 100 kilograms of cocaine, eight kilos of heroin and 65 kilos of cannabis.

As part of the police operation in May 2021 officers searched a property in Elizabeth Street, Halifax, and discovered a locked safe that contained over £100,000 worth of cocaine.

Mr Lake said it was quite clear that the property was being used as a “safe house” by Whitehead’s group.

Today Whitehead was jailed for 14 years after he admitted involvement in the conspiracies to supply Class A drugs.

Stead, of Freeman Court, Brighouse, was locked up for 10 years for his role while Hardy, of Riley Lane, Illingworth, was given an additional one year in jail on top of an eight-year sentence he received in March 2021 for possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

Hardy had previously been caught using the two customised vehicles to transport drugs and money.

Two other men Carl Noble, 34, of Mount Pellon Road, Halifax, and Simon Bolland, 32, of Smallwood Gardens, Dewsbury, were also sentenced for their involvement in the drug dealing.

Noble was jailed for seven years and six months while Bolland was sentenced to seven years and four months.

Recorder Ian Mullarkey said Whitehead had been involved in a sophisticated and lucrative operation peddling Class A drugs on a vast scale and spreading misery and blighting lives.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Key, from West Yorkshire Police’s Programme Precision, Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: “The excellent work by the investigation team in presenting the encrypted communications and coordinating a proactive operation had led to the seizure of illegal drugs.

“The evidence gained has proved that this group were involved in supplying large quantities of controlled drugs over a significant period of time.

“The sentences given today reflect that and will hopefully serve as a deterrent to others who are either involved or aspire to be involved in trafficking drugs across our county and beyond.”