A court heard the operation had ‘legs to it’ with the consignments from abroad ‘coming in thick and fast’
Christopher Gamble, Stacey Hilton, Jade Gnocchi admitted their involvement in the operation(Image: Hull Live)
A drugs importer who ordered large amounts of tablets from India was joined in the “pretty thriving little enterprise” by two women who either helped with “onward supply” or provided a “safe place” for drugs and money. The drug consignments from abroad were “coming in thick and fast” and it seemed that they could barely cope with the speed that they were arriving, Hull Crown Court heard.
Christopher Gamble, 36, of Beverley Road, Hull, admitted fraudulently evading the prohibition on importing Class C drug Pregabalin between July 1, 2024 and March 26 last year. He also admitted possessing Class C drugs.
Stacey Hilton, 41, of Saxcourt, Orchard Park estate, north Hull, admitted being concerned in supplying Pregabalin between June 1, 2024 and March 26 last year. Jade Gnocchi, 28, of Milldane, Orchard Park estate, admitted possessing 180 capsules of Pregabalin with intent to supply, possessing ketamine and possessing £2,940 cash as criminal property on March 25 last year.
Stephen Littlewood, prosecuting, said that Hilton was involved in supplying Pregabalin to users, at least some of it obtained by Gamble from India. He arranged for it to be posted.
Hilton’s home was searched and, during that time, police saw her reacting to the ringing of a mobile phone – and trying to distance herself from it. She was involved in the supply of drugs.
There were WhatsApp messages between her and Gamble. There was an exchange of messages and she ordered 30 boxes of drugs. The address of Gnocchi was given.
The arrangement between Gamble and Hilton continued. An investigation was launched into Gamble and a parcel from India was intercepted at Coventry.
The importer’s details were given as “Chris Gamble” and the consignment included 200 blister packs. “It was not delivered following the interception,” said Mr Littlewood.
Warrants were executed at the homes of Gamble, Hilton and Gnocchi on March 25 last year. Blister packs were found in Hilton’s home and prescription packages of tablets were found in a room used by Gamble, the court heard.
A carrier bag in a suitcase was found in the possession of Gnocchi and it contained multiple boxes of blister packs. There had been a delivery from India. The total value of the drugs seized was £4,500.
Gamble and Gnocchi had no previous convictions. Hilton had convictions for two previous unrelated offences.
Deputy circuit judge Timothy Clayson said that the three were involved in a “pretty thriving little enterprise” where, between them, they were “coping with” speedier deliveries of drugs from abroad than they were perhaps expecting. The operation had “a certain amount of legs to it”.
Messages exchanged showed “just how extensive it was and how much was involved” in it. “It involved the obtaining of drugs from another country, from India, and they seemed to be coming in thick and fast, from the messages I have read,” he said.
“Fortunately for each of you, these drugs were Class C drugs, not Class B or Class A, otherwise immediate custodial sentences would have followed.” Gamble was responsible for importing the drugs and Hilton for the “onward supply to users”.
Gnocchi was responsible for providing a “safe place for the drugs, at least on some occasions” before they were provided to others for onward supply. She also played a role in keeping safe the money that was made.
“Substantial quantities of drugs were recovered,” said the deputy circuit judge. A significant sum of money, about £3,000, was found at the home of Gnocchi. There was a clear route of delivery from India to Gamble.
Oliver Shipley, mitigating, said that Gamble was working as a senior sales manager. He pleaded guilty and there were no aggravating features to his role.
Cathy Kioko-Gilligan, representing Hilton, said that the defendant was involved for a period of about three months. The offending crossed the custody threshold but the sentence could be suspended. She had a daughter.
Amber Hobson, representing Gnocchi, said that the money found was the proceeds of crime from the enterprise. Gnocchi, a single mother, provided a safe house for the storage of drugs.
“She has never troubled these courts before,” said Miss Hobson. “She had a gambling addiction. She is free from that. She had her own addiction to substances. She is free from that.”
Gamble was given a six-month suspended prison sentence and 15 days’ rehabilitation. Hilton was given a four-month suspended prison sentence and 10 days’ rehabilitation. Gnocchi was given 60 hours’ unpaid work.
“Each of you ought to understand that you have been fortunate,” said the deputy circuit judge. “It’s very unlikely that, if you get involved in drugs again in any significant way, you will get this chance again.”
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