Cash, dealer lists and a safe key were also found during the investigation
David Brown, left and Daniel Moss have both been jailed(Image: Hull Live)
Two men at the “head” of a big cocaine supply enterprise were running it as a lucrative “business venture” in the East Yorkshire area – but their money-making luck finally ran out when it was busted by the police, Hull Crown Court heard. Daniel Moss, 40, of Hull Road, Cottingham, and David Brown, 39, of Waterside Road, Beverley, admitted being concerned in supplying cocaine between June 1, 2019 and June 26, 2020.
Moss also admitted possessing £6,350 cash as criminal property on October 23, 2020 and a separate offence of possessing 1kg of cocaine with intent to supply on August 24, 2022. Brown also admitted possessing cocaine with intent to supply on June 25, 2020.
Michele Stuart-Lofthouse, prosecuting, said that Moss and Brown were involved in a cocaine supplying operation. “It was a business venture between the two,” said Miss Stuart-Lofthouse.
“They were the head of the enterprise.” Others were involved at a lower level. The police launched an investigation, Operation Barbados, into the supply of cocaine in the Beverley and East Riding area.
On June 25, 2020, police discovered 1kg of cocaine at the home of two others. Brown was seen driving away from the house and he had a key to a safe that was in the property.
Evidence showed that Brown cut and packaged the cocaine. Police also seized 75.2g of cocaine from another man’s home. He told police that there was “something else” present.
The item was found in the sleeve of a checked shirt found by the police but it was not clear what this was. There were dealer’s lists in his bin.
Messages were found on a phone used by Moss and these related to cash linked to drugs, the court heard. Another man’s home was searched and cocaine weighing 3.5g was found along with zip-up bags containing a white residue. Cash was seized from him.
Mobile phones were seized from those involved. They were analysed and the home of Moss was searched. He had a safe containing cash and there was also money in his vehicle, the court heard.
Dealer lists were found at the home of Moss. Brown’s home was searched and the key to the safe at the other house was found.
The separate cocaine offence involving Moss came to light when plain clothes police stopped a car at Ings Road shopping centre, Hull, and searched the vehicle. They discovered a white bag behind the driver’s seat and it contained 1kg of cocaine.
Oliver Saddington, mitigating, said that Moss pleaded guilty and he had no previous convictions. He had stayed out of trouble since the offences.
“There has been no offending of any kind and he has always held gainful employment since leaving school,” said Mr Saddington. Moss had worked in executive positions for large tobacco companies and he had also run a local snooker club.
James Preece, representing Brown, said that the defendant pleaded guilty and there had been a significant delay in the case since 2020. Proceedings did not begin until February 2023 after an already very significant delay.
“Regrettably, it has taken to now to reach the final hearing,” said Mr Preece. “He has remained out of trouble.
“He has attended court multiple times, knowing that a significant sentence was inevitable. He has had the stress of having to say goodbye to his family at court a number of times.
“Other defendants sentenced had their sentence reduced very significantly for the delay. All of the defendants so far received suspended sentences.
“The same can’t be said for Brown, who was more significantly involved. I concede that it must be a sentence of immediate imprisonment.”
Brown ran a legitimate roofing business and he had done roof work for a charity. He had a four-year-old daughter.
Judge Tahir Khan KC said that Moss and Brown played a significant role in the cocaine supply enterprise but there was a dispute about the scale of their involvement. “I am satisfied that David Brown and Daniel Moss were partners in this operation,” said Judge Khan.
The prosecution claimed that 10.4kg of cocaine was involved but this was “in excess of the amount”. The defence claimed that it was only about 1kg but this was a “gross underestimate” of the likely amount.
“I am satisfied that the defendants had at least 5kg of cocaine for distribution,” said Judge Khan.
Moss was jailed for six years and one month. Brown was jailed for three years and 10 months. Both had been on bail until then.