He ran ‘what was essentially a mail order company’ sending controlled substances around the country
A man who ran “what was essentially a mail order company” sending drugs around the country has been delivered to prison. So brazen was his operation that, when police searched his address, a number of controlled substances were discovered in “plain view” around the property.
He also claimed during police interview that a hoard of cash found by officers during their investigation had been won at a casino. Tony Cortez, 34, of Danube Road, Hull, admitted possession with intent to supply class A drugs and possession with intent to supply class B drugs.
During an appearance at Hull Crown Court this week, he was sentenced to two years and three months in prison. An investigation into Cortez was launched in April this year when officers were called to his address in relation to an unconnected incident.
At this point they discovered the controlled substances in plain sight and he was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs. Further investigation revealed a “large quantity” of cocaine and cannabis hidden in places around the property which police say showed “the extent Cortez was willing to go to hide what he was doing”.
His vehicle and business premises were also searched with specialist officers and police dogs being deployed to “sniff out” more drugs. A “large amount of cash” was also recovered, along with bank cards in Cortez’s name, and his alias, along with a memory card and phone.
During police interview, he refused to provide a PIN code for the phone and answered ‘no comment’ to all questions about it. However, digital forensics officers examined his mobile and found “extensive evidence of him running what was essentially a mail order company” that sold and marketed cannabis products online.
Cortez played a leading role in operating a “nationwide wholesale drugs business” which distributed controlled substances around the country including in London, Durham, Scotland, Belfast, Newcastle and Bournemouth. Police said it was was soon established that Cortez had “a vision for his enterprise to grow significantly in order for him to reap financial reward”.
Messages on his phone included him “compiling price lists, brand logos, stock arrangements and marketing ideas for the operation”.
Detective Constable Robyn Latus from Humberside Police’s Criminal Investigation Department led the investigation into Cortez’s criminal activity and said: “We are committed to tackling drug dealing and distribution in our area and will take a proactive approach in putting offenders behind bars. Crimes of this nature remain a priority for us, and I am reassured that Cortez is now behind bars and unable to push dangerous drugs like cocaine and cannabis not only into our communities, but others across the country.
“I would like to thank our colleagues and partnering agencies for their continued support through investigations of this nature, but all the work they do to make a real difference and help take drugs off our streets.
“We investigate all information that we receive, and we would like to reassure members of the public that whilst you may not see immediate action, the information you provide helps us build the bigger picture of evidence to have the best possible chance of a sentence like we’ve seen here.
“Please keep talking to us if you have any information about drug-related or other crimes in your community. You can report via our non-emergency number 101 or report information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”