She provided a safe house for cash and drugs imported from India
Jade Gnocchi pictured at Hull Crown Court(Image: Hull Live)
A woman found with stashes of cash totalling nearly £3,000 was looking after the money as part of a big drugs operation that included tablets being secretly brought in from India. She provided a safe house for the cash and for consignments of drugs but she will now lose all the money, Hull Crown Court heard.
Jade Gnocchi, 28, of Milldane, Orchard Park estate, admitted possessing £2,940 cash as criminal property on March 25 last year. She also admitted possessing 180 capsules of Pregabalin with intent to supply and possessing ketamine.
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. The court heard that Gamble ordered large amounts of tablets from India but he was helped by Gnocchi and Hilton.
Gnocchi was responsible for providing a safe place for the drugs on some occasions before they were provided to others for onward supply. She also played a role in keeping safe the money that was being made. Hilton helped with the onward supply of drugs to users.
At the latest hearing, prosecutor Adrian Strong asked for the £2,940 cash that had been seized from Gnocchi to be forfeited. This was agreed. The drugs will also be forfeited.
Mr Strong added that the prosecution had originally wanted to pursue proceeds of crime applications against the defendants but it had been decided that this was not in the public interest. This was because the three were deemed to have insufficient funds to make this worthwhile.
He applied for £465 costs against all three defendants but this was refused. Defence barrister Oliver Shipley opposed the costs application but agreed that the £2,940 cash found with Gnocchi should be forfeited.
Gnocchi and Gamble were among those at court for the latest hearing but they did not come into the courtroom while the case was being heard. Gnocchi had earlier said of the proceeds of crime application: “It’s going to be dropped.”
At an earlier hearing in July, the court was told 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.
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.
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.
Gnocchi and Gamble had no previous convictions. Hilton had convictions for two previous unrelated offences.
Gnocchi was given 60 hours’ unpaid work. 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.
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