Two members of criminal network jailed

Two members of an organised criminal network which sought to commit theft in the North East have been jailed.

Armet Cortes and Willmer Guzman were brought to justice after the illicit scheme was uncovered by investigating officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU).

A police operation was launched after 14 offences were identified between August 2024 and April 2025 involving conspiracies to commit theft – with six occurring in the North East.

Officers began investigating and through complex police work were able to identify Cortes, 55, and Guzman, 62, as being involved.

As part of the criminal activity, vulnerable victims were targeted by the offenders and followed to their bank and once they withdrew a large amount of money, the criminals used various distraction methods to steal the cash.

On one occasion, offenders waited inside a bank and overheard a woman request to withdraw £10,000. The offenders followed her home on a bus and upon arriving at her home address, faked a fall and injury. The victim comes to help and once distracted they entered the victims address and stole the bag containing the cash before fleeing the scene.  

Both men were arrested in July and subsequently charged with conspiracy to commit theft and were remanded at Newcastle Crown Court.

On Monday (September 22) the pair of Colombian nationals appeared at the same court and pleaded guilty.

Today (Wednesday), they were both sentenced to three years and eight months imprisonment.

Following the sentencing, NEROCU Detective Constable Andy Thompson, said: “This type of criminality has absolutely no place in the North East – it is an incredibly traumatic crime type for victims that leaves both a financial and psychological impact.

“Cortes and Guzman targeted vulnerable victims and used manipulative and sophisticated methods to carry out their crimes. We worked closely with Northumbria Police to identify and pursue those criminals responsible, who we brought before the Courts.”

NEROCU Detective Inspector Shaun Fordy, added: “This sentencing is the latest success in our ongoing efforts to stamp out all forms of organised crime through Operation Sentinel in the North East – our united police response to Serious and Organised Crime.

“Community intelligence is vital to police investigations, and we would ask members of the public to continue reporting any suspicious activity in and around banks and if you have been a victim, report it to police as soon as possible.”

If you have any information or concerns about drug supply, contact your local police or report it via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.