7:31AM, Mon Jul 23, 2012

Nine Years Jail For Former Footballer Turned Policeman And Drugs Gang Boss

By James Marley Location: Gateshead

A former police officer who was at the head of a multi-million pounds drugs gang which flooded the streets with heroin has been jailed for nine years and four months.

Jason Singh, who was sacked from Northumbria Police after he was jailed for masterminding a series of cashpoint raids in 2007, ran a lucrative drug dealing empire after his release from a six year prison sentence.

The ex constable, who was based in South Shields, South Tyneside, during his time with the force, sourced high grade heroin from criminal contacts in Yorkshire and transported it to Tyneside to be sold on the streets.

Judge Brian Forster said: "This is one of the largest cases of its type that has come before this crown court.

"This was organised and professional crime committed over a significant period of time.

"In my judgement this was, in essence, a family business, headed by you Jason Singh.

"Those operating the business, individually and collectively, were willing to make as much money as they could out of the addiction and misery of others.

"This court has one message, heroin has no place on our streets. I reflect the viewpoint of every law abiding citizen.

"Those who make money out of the misery of others must expect severe punishment."

The 29-year-old, who drove flash Audi and BMW Cars, was collared when police launched a sting operation to uncover his criminal dealings.

Undercover officers carried out covert surveilance, took secret audio recordings and even planted a listening device in one of his associate's cars.

When detectives swooped he was caught with a kilo of heroin in a car travelling on the A1.

Singh, who lived in Gateshead and was once a promising young footballer until he was let go by Newcastle United's youth team when he was 18, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Singh's father Kuldip Singh, 49, of Byrness, East Denton, Newcastle and brother Craig Singh, 25, of Ryde Terrace, Dunston, Gateshead admitted conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Prosecutors say Kuldip Singh was a supplier and deliverer of the drugs and Craig Singh worked as a runner in the business.

Street dealers Dean Hendry, 26, of Woodbine Street, Gateshead, Paul Power, 24, of Malvern Gardens, Lobley Hill, Gateshead, and Anthony Lopez, 39, of Ann Street, Shiremoor, North Tyneside, admitted the same charge.

Singh's uncle Sukhdav Singh, 45, of Kelvin Gardens, Dunston, Gateshead, admitted allowing his premises to be used for drugs.

Singh was put behind bars for six years in 2007 for orchestrating a gang who raided cash machines.

At the time he was supporting a £600-per-week cocaine habit.

He was the head of the crime gang who used heavy duty tools to smash their way into stand alone ATMs and made off with over £13,000 from one machine while causing £14,000 worth of damage.

Kuldip Singh was jailed for eight years.

Craig Singh was jailed for seven-and-a-half years.

Dean Hendry was jailed for six years.

Anthony Lopez was jailed for six years.

Paul Power was jailed for four years.

Sukhdav Singh was jailed for 16 months.