Three jailed after cops bust '24-hour rapid drug delivery service'
THREE men have been jailed after police busted a drugs supply line valued at £700,000 – which saw drugs supplied “on an industrial scale” and featured “loyalty schemes and weekend offers.”
Rotherham's Operation Fortify Team launched an investigation into the 'Popeye' drugs line in January 2022, which was believed to be operating in and around the Kimberworth area.
According to estimates by the force, “several kilos” of drugs were sold via the 'Popeye' line across Rotherham.
Three men were charged with two counts of supplying a controlled drug of Class A - to which they all pleaded guilty to.
Appearing at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday (June 16), the men were handed the following sentences:
- Andre Walters (36), of HMP Doncaster, was jailed for eight years and eight months
- Alan Latham, (52), of Studmoor Road, Rotherham, was jailed for three years and nine months
- Geoffrey Hooton, (45) of Beckett Crescent, Rotherham, was jailed for three years and four months
Proceeds of Crime hearings will take place over the next few months to establish what, if any, criminal assets and property each defendant has which can be forfeited.
A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said of the 15-month operation: “Detectives worked diligently to piece together the hierarchical structure of the enterprise, identifying the key players involved in funneling harmful substances onto the streets of Rotherham.
“Officers executed over a dozen warrants, seizing thousands of pounds in cash and 50 mobile phones in the process.
“This work identified Andre Walters, Alan Latham and Geoffrey Hooton as all playing a role in the drugs line.
“Telecoms work showed that whenever a handset containing the drug line was seized, it would be reactivated and used in another mobile phone.
“CCTV enquiries captured Walters reactivating the and topping up the 'Popeye' line – including one occasion where he reactivated the line 15 hours after officers seized a phone.
“Work analysing the mobile phones also identified that over a six-month period, there were 72 ‘bulk’ messages offering to supply drugs to hundreds of potential customers.
“Evidence was uncovered that Latham and Hooton worked shifts to deliver drugs ordered via the 'Popeye' line.
“Walters effectively employed the duo to provide a 24-hour rapid drug delivery service.”
Following the jail sentences, lead investigator Det Sgt Matthew Jackson said: “This was a sophisticated, organised criminal operation which sought to exploit those addicted to drugs.
“Phone analysis showed loyalty schemes and weekend offers in place with the sole intention of maximising profits from criminality.
"Class A drugs were being supplied by this group on an industrial scale.
“We estimate that over a six-month period the value of the drugs sold via the 'Popeye' line was in the region of £700,000, with several kilos of drugs being supplied across Rotherham."
He added: "I would like to thank the Rotherham Fortify team, as well as the many other departments and people who assisted in bringing this complex case to a successful conclusion.
“Throughout my police service I have seen firsthand the devastating effects illicit drugs have on individuals, families and our communities.
"We will continue working proactively to root out those committing these types of crimes and bring offenders to justice, while also removing these dangerous drugs from circulation.”