One of them posted ‘large quantities’ of illegal drugs around the country as part of the operation
A Hull-based crime family described by police as “not quite the Sopranos” was involved in laundering more than £800,000 and posting drugs around the country. Three members of the family have now been convicted following a police investigation which “uncovered a deliberate and sustained effort to profit from crime“.
They were part of an operation that saw Daniel Cotson post large quantities of unlicensed Class C drugs – including zopiclone, diazepam and temazepam – across the UK through local shops and post offices. They were sold online with payments funnelled into his bank accounts before being transferred to his parents, Paul and Stephanie Cotson, who invested £460,000 while also claiming benefits.
Suspicions were raised when a staff member from a shop in Hull city centre raised concerns about packages being sent out by Daniel Cotson. Staff at the store carried out a security check and one of the parcels was found to contain blister packaging filled with tablets.
Police officers then attended and seized 32 postal bags believed to contain controlled drugs. CCTV enquiries confirmed Daniel Cotson regularly visited the shop where he was sending out the parcels. He was arrested on May 17, 2021, during one of his visits to post drugs and he was found with two postal bags ready to send out.
A search of his home uncovered tablets with a street value of £44,703, cocaine worth £1,250 and £1,180 in cash. Further enquiries revealed that, between May 2019 and July 2021, Daniel Cotson received £812,797.27 in third-party bank transfers.
He moved over £534,000 to his parents’ savings account, which they used to invest in their own names. Both Paul and Stephanie Cotson were fully aware of Daniel’s previous convictions, including a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) order issued in 2013, yet continued to support and benefit from his criminal activity.
Daniel Cotson, 43, of Marine Wharf, Hull, pleaded guilty at Hull Crown Court on Tuesday, September 16 to two counts of possession of criminal property, two counts of possession with intent to supply cocaine, conspiracy to convert criminal property, supplying class C zopiclone, supplying class C diazepam, and supplying class C temazepam. His parents, Paul Cotson, 71, and Stephanie Cotson, 70, of The Link, Hull, were found guilty by a unanimous jury verdict on Monday, September 22 of conspiracy to convert criminal property following a four-day trial.
Officer in the case, constable Mark Bentley, of Humberside Police, said: “This investigation uncovered a deliberate and sustained effort to profit from crime. Daniel Cotson was responsible for the supply of unlicensed and controlled drugs across the country, using local shops to post parcels and online platforms to reach customers.
“Paul and Stephanie Cotson were not only aware of Daniel’s previous convictions, but they actively helped him move and invest over half a million pounds of criminal money. They attended his previous court hearings, knew the risks, and still chose to involve themselves.
“They invested criminal proceeds in their own names and attempted to distance themselves from the source of the funds despite clear contrasting evidence.”
Detective Inspector Matt Grantham, from the Kinetic Organised Crime Group team, added: “This case represents a clear message that crime doesn’t pay, even when it’s kept in the family. It is also the culmination of a complex and sustained investigation into a family-run criminal network.
“Officers from across the force worked tirelessly to piece together financial records, digital evidence, and witness accounts to expose the full scale of the Cotsons’ operation. These convictions are a testament to the dedication and professionalism of the investigation team, and our pursuit to find those responsible for organised crime and bring them before the courts.”
The Cotsons are due to appear at Hull Crown Court for sentencing on November 14.