Drugs gang saw eastern Europeans work with British criminals to supply class As

A criminal gang made up of eastern Europeans and Brits, who conspired to supply drugs across the region from a Newcastle flat, have been jailed for more than 27 years combined.

On March 9 last year, officers on duty witnessed suspected drug dealing taking place in the city centre – with a vehicle of interest later stopped on Stowell Street.

The occupants, including passengers Milan Dano and Thowkir Ahmed, were detained and searched in custody.

This uncovered a haul of dealing bags filled with cocaine, ketamine and MDMA – as well as multiple mobile phones and more than £3,000 in cash.

The pair were released on police bail, pending further enquiries while the drugs were tested.

On September 16, officers pulled over a car on The Close at the Newcastle Quayside, with Petr Balaz and Steven Langley found inside.

They searched the vehicle after smelling cannabis and the pair were arrested and then bailed on suspicion of drug supply – with £635 in cash and a stash of drugs found.

A plastic tub of cannabis, and several packets of white powder, were also discovered in their underwear during a search – with the drugs later confirmed to be cocaine.

With months of intelligence gathered, officers from the Force’s Serious Organised Crime Investigation Team executed a warrant at a flat on The Close in Newcastle city centre on October 26.

They found Ahmed and Dano inside the Quayside property, which was being used as a drug supply house, with multiple phones heard ringing and buzzing with notifications from suspected buyers.

Specialist search teams also uncovered thousands in cash – as well as large quantities of cannabis, cocaine, ketamine and MDMA and paraphernalia like scales and plastic bags.

While this was ongoing, Pavel Vasko (above) turned up at the address, followed by Balaz in a car outside, and Langley who were unaware of the police presence.

They were arrested at the scene, with their associate David Gabor (above) later handing himself in after he was identified advertising a drugs line on the seized devices.

The group were later charged with a string of offences which they admitted.

On Tuesday, May 20, and Wednesday, May 21, the men appeared before Newcastle Crown Court to be sentenced for conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B controlled drugs, concealing criminal property and money laundering.

Milan Dano, 20, (above) of Tamworth Road in Newcastle was jailed for four years and nine months.

Thowkir Ahmed, 27, (below) of Almond Place in Newcastle was jailed for six years and nine months.

Petr Balaz, 21, (above) of Dundas Way in Gateshead was jailed for two years.

Steven Langley, 27, (below) of Belloc Avenue in South Shields was jailed for four years and four months.

Pavel Vasko, 31, Hampstead Road in Newcastle was jailed for four years and one month.

David Gabor, 27, Saltwell Street in Gateshead was jailed for five years and three months.

Speaking after the result, Detective Constable Michael May of Northumbria Police, said: “This was a brilliant result, with officers from across the Force working together to uncover a significant drugs operation worth just shy of £80,000.

“Thanks to our proactive approach to gather intel and catch up with offenders, we’ve been able to lift a lid on their extensive crimes – which saw them run drugs lines to sell Class A and B drugs from a flat near to a busy nightlife scene on the Newcastle Quayside.

“Not only that, but we’ve taken a huge haul of dangerous drugs out of circulation, as well as seizing thousands in criminal cash.”

Det Con May added: “These lengthy sentences highlight the severity of their offending – and we remain dedicated to cracking down on organised crime and the harm that it brings to the wider community.

“As ever, we’d urge anyone with concerns around suspicious activity to report them to us – no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.”

Anyone with information should send Northumbria Police a direct message on social media, use the live chat and report forms on the force’s website.