THREE men involved in a plot to supply cocaine on the streets of Carlisle have been jailed for a total of almost 16 years.
The city’s crown court heard of a conspiracy lasting several months which emerged after Leeds-based drug courier, Jose Mboma, was stopped last November on the M6 in a southbound Audi containing almost £9,000 cash.
A police investigation revealed 22-year-old Mboma had just visited Carlisle, and was involved in an illegal enterprise with two city men – Brendan Laverick, 24, and 27-year-old Mark Eric Libby.
Laverick was described as a “prime mover” in the offending and was driven to a drug deal by Libby, who had stored cocaine. Libby was also caught flushing an import-strength amount of the class A substance down a toilet at his Shaddongate home when police forced entry after the earlier stoppage of Mboma, who had made two trips to Carlisle.
All three men admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine, while Mboma also admitted possessing criminal property – the cash. They were sentenced at the crown court today (TUES).
Laverick, of Caslin Way, Carlisle, was dubbed a “trusted player in the cocaine market” by Judge James Adkin, who jailed him for seven-and-a-half years. Mboma received a 52-month sentence and Libby 45 months.
“This case concerns the acquisition of cocaine from Leeds,” Judge James Adkin concluded, “with a view to onward distribution to street dealers working in the city of Carlisle.”
Detective Constable Stephen Kidd said: “The crimes committed by these three men were uncovered by the combination of proactive policing and a diligent investigation.
“I hope this sentencing can send out a clear message that we continue to target anyone involved in the supply of Class A drugs. We will use all available powers to disrupt and prevent the supply of drugs to Cumbrian communities.”
