1 week Ago By [email protected] (Mark Naylor)
A cocaine supply drugs boss started his money-spinning criminal activities in the "Premier League of offending" by acting as a well-paid "cash-and-carry wholesaler" and enjoying a luxury lifestyle that included huge amounts of cash as well as designer clothes and a £17,000 Rolex watch. The large "multiple" amounts of cocaine and ketamine that he supplied to other dealers could potentially have had a street value of £1-million and, on the day of a police raid, he had £38,000 cash at his home. Messages exchanged with an accomplice suggested that there was "an expectation of significant financial advantage" to them, a court heard.
Regan Murray, 25, of Clairbrook Close, off Selby Street, west Hull, admitted being concerned in supplying cocaine and ketamine, possessing cocaine with intent to supply and possessing cash, watches and clothes as criminal property. Rhys Bunce, 30, of Lissett Grove, off Greenwood Avenue, north Hull, admitted being concerned in offering to supply heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine. Dale Brook, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that, at the time, Bunce was wanted by the police over unrelated matters.
Police went to premises on February 15, 2023 and found Bunce hiding in the hollowed-out area of a bed frame. A phone was seized. Bunce was released on bail.
"He refused to provide the PIN for that phone but police were able to gain access," said Mr Brook. There were many messages on the phone relating to drug supply, particularly cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin, including some messages between Bunce and Murray suggesting that Murray was a wholesale supplier of large amounts of drugs to dealers. Both men were arrested.
Police found £38,000 cash in Murray's home on February 22 last year. There was 100g of cocaine, with a street value of £13,000 or, in bulk, just over £5,000. Police seized a large amount of designer clothes, a Rolex watch that had been bought for £17,000 and an Omega watch.
A phone was seized. Murray refused to provide the PIN but many messages were found. Bunce was running a drugs line and employed others for street dealing.
Bunce was supplied with large amounts of cocaine by Murray. Bunce "washed it" to turn it into crack cocaine. He seemed to have suggested that he could make £9,000 every six days.
Keep up to date with all the latest crime and court news from Hull with our free newsletter "Murray supplied large amounts of cocaine and ketamine to individual dealers," said Mr Brook. "He supplied them akin to a cash-and-carry wholesaler. Murray purchased multiple kilos of both cocaine and ketamine.
" The wholesale value of the cocaine was about £350,000 and the potential street value was just over £1-million, although it was not suggested that this sum was actually made. The total value of one single order was £141,000 paid for in cash. Both men made mainly no comment during police interview.
Murray had no previous convictions. Bunce had convictions for 43 previous offences, including being jailed for two-and-a-half years in 2018 for possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply. He had also been jailed more recently for offences of dishonesty, driving and possessing cannabis.
Shufqat Khan, mitigating, said that Murray was still young enough to make changes to his life to make sure that he did not come before the courts again. He pleaded guilty, had shown remorse and he had written a letter showing some insight into his offending. He had been working for a tree care company.
"He is genuinely remorseful and apologetic for what he has done," said Mr Khan. "He has expressed sorrow for the choices he has made. He no longer associates with any of the negative influences that he was when he was involved.
"There have been no further offences of any type. He is a young man who has made a huge mistake. He has started in the Premier League of offending.
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We also treat members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. Read our privacy notice here. David Godfrey, representing Bunce, said that there was no suggestion that the defendant was, when he was arrested, living an exorbitant lifestyle or living the £9,000-a-week lifestyle that had been suggested.
"He accepts that there was significant financial reward," said Mr Godfrey. Bunce had been in custody on remand for nearly 15 months. "When he is released, he has got to start living a pro-social life otherwise it's going to be a very sorry existence for him," said Mr Godfrey.
"He is realising the error of his previous 29 years. He wants to use that as a catalyst going forward." Bunce had previously worked in a roofing business for a friend.
He had a really supportive family and a six-year-old son. Recorder Peter Makepeace KC told Murray: "This is one hell of a baptism by fire for you to start your criminal career. It had better be the end of your criminal career.
There was an expectation of significant financial advantage." Bunce had been jailed in 2018 for drugs offences. "Regrettably, you did not learn anything at all from that experience," said Recorder Makepeace.
Murray, who had been on bail, was jailed for 10 years and nine months. Bunce, who was in custody, was jailed for five years and four months..
