Police smash Newcastle cocaine network with two more drug dealers jailed

Northumbria Police’s targeted operation has smashed a Newcastle city centre cocaine dealing network.
Two drug dealers have been snared by Northumbria Police.Two drug dealers have been snared by Northumbria Police.
Two drug dealers have been snared by Northumbria Police.

The final members of a drugs network who unknowingly sold cocaine to plain-clothed officers have been jailed.

Adoniyas Michaels and Victor Olaleye appeared at Newcastle Crown Court where they were sentenced to just over six years.

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Newcastle Crown Court was told how the pair were implicated in the conspiracy in 2019 when specialist officers launched a targeted operation, from July to December, to help curb illegal drug dealing in Newcastle’s night-time economy.

As part of the activity, plain-clothed officers were tasked with buying illegal substances from a variety of sources – and it wasn’t long before they came into contact with Michaels and Olaleye.

On one occasion plain-clothed officers met with Olaleye on Low Friar Street where he sold them cocaine - he then facilitated contact with Michaels, who they later met with to buy more of the Class A drug. He also made arrangements with the officers so they could purchase more from him.

Behind the scenes, detectives continued to compile evidence and a build a case against the group, and on December 5, the pair, alongside their associates Celick Jerry, Wisdom Ekeke and Jancy Mbomba, were arrested and later charged with drugs offences.

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And on Friday (December 9) Michaels and Olaleye appeared in court where they were sentenced as follows:

Michaels, 26, of Studdon Walk, Newcastle, admitted supplying cocaine and MDMA and was jailed for three years and two months.

The police mugshot of Adoniyas Michaels.The police mugshot of Adoniyas Michaels.
The police mugshot of Adoniyas Michaels.

Olaleye, 26, of Shipcote Terrace, Gateshead admitted supplying cocaine was sentenced to 23 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

The police mugshot of Victor Olaleye.The police mugshot of Victor Olaleye.
The police mugshot of Victor Olaleye.

The sentences mark the end of a complex investigation for officers working to tackle serious and organised crime as part of Operation Sentinel.

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It also brings the total number of years behind bars to 10 years after their associates appeared at the same court back in June 2021:

  • Celick Jerry, 26, of Glanton Close in Byker was sentenced to 24 months suspended for 24 months, after admitting being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
  • Wisdom Ekeke, 26, of Hazledene Avenue in Kenton was jailed for four years after admitting supplying cocaine and possession with intent to supply cocaine and MDMA.
  • Jancy Mbomba, 23, of Kirk Street, Newcastle was jailed for 32 months after admitting supplying cocaine and possession with intent to supply cocaine.

Speaking after the final sentencings, Detective Chief Inspector Marc Michael from Northumbria Police’s Crime department said: “Illegal drug dealing has no place here and we will do all we can to clamp down on the supply chain, pursue the sellers, and dismantle the illicit organisations they work for.

“The profits made from selling illegal drugs are often re-invested into violent crime and offences which exploit vulnerable people such as human trafficking and modern day slavery – and it’s important these criminals know they are not welcome in our cities.

“This was a complex operation which took months of planning and information gathering before we even considered sending our officers out into the community – but the fact these criminals have all now been convicted and sentenced is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all the officers and staff who were involved.

“As a Force, we will continue our work to tackle serious and organised crime and would ask the public works with us to share what they know and report any suspicious activity and behaviour.”

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