Drug dealer who imported drugs from Thailand sentenced

A drug dealer has been sentenced – after police intercepted a drugs parcel shipped from Thailand.

A drug dealer has been sentenced – after police intercepted a drugs parcel shipped from Thailand.

On August 18 last year, UK Border Force intercepted a parcel on its way to Middlesborough which contained five shrink-wrapped bags of cannabis.

Officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU) were immediately alerted and an investigation team was deployed.

Enquiries were conducted and thanks to the dedication of the team involved a suspect, Josh Wharton, 35, was identified and arrested on September 30 2024.

During the arrest phase, officers also discovered and seized a total of 5.6Kg of Cannabis with an estimated street value of up to £45K, £3,260 in cash and his mobile phone.

Despite refusing to comment in interview, fingerprints on the drug packages linked Wharton to the illicit goods and conversations on his mobile showed his involvement.

Wharton, of Laburnum Grove in Middlesborough, was charged with concerned in supplying a controlled drug, possessing a controlled drug, fraudulent evasion of a prohibition and possessing criminal property.

He admitted all counts at Teesside Crown Court in October last year, and yesterday (Wednesday), was given a two year sentence suspended for two years and 20 hours of rehabilitation activity.

Speaking after the result NEROCU Detective Sergeant Neil Lovat, said: “To those looking to import drugs into the UK and specifically the North East – be warned - we have committed officers and partners working hard to dismantle and disrupt organised drug supply.

“It won’t be your parcel waiting on your doorstep, it’ll be us.”

DS Neil Lovat added: “It goes without saying that the sale of illegal drugs can be incredibly harmful and the profits from the sale of drugs like cannabis are often used in wider organised crime like child sexual exploitation, human trafficking, Class A drug and gun supply.

“Nobody wants to line the pockets of those involved in organised crime – and as part of Operation Sentinel, we’ll continue to work with partners to tackle all forms of serious and organised crime.” 

Suspicious behaviour can be reported to your local police via 101 or their website, or in an emergency, or where a crime is taking place, always dial 999.

Members of the public can also report information anonymously by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.