Drug Dealers Who Ran Criminal Network From Behind Bars Plead Guilty

Four members of an organised crime group have pleaded guilty after detectives uncovered a class A cocaine operation that was being directed from inside a prison cell.

Four members of an organised crime group pleaded guilty at Hull Crown Court yesterday (Monday, 13 July 2026) after detectives uncovered their class A drugs operation was being directed from inside a prison cell.

Nathan Langton, 32-years-old, formerly of Burstall Hill in Bridlington, Liam Langton, 28-years-old, of Quay Street in Scarborough, and Lewis Wenn, 29-years-old, of The Close in Cottingham, each pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply class A cocaine.

Jordan Withey, 27-years-old, of St Georges Avenue in Bridlington, pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply class A cocaine, possession with intent to supply class A cocaine, and possession of criminal property.

An investigation was launched in January 2026 when officers from the Kinetic Organised Crime Group Team identified intelligence relating to a mobile phone number being used to advertise and sell class A cocaine in Bridlington and the surrounding areas.

Further enquiries established the number formed part of a network of “burner phones” sending bulk text messages advertising the class of class A drugs. As detectives pieced together the operation, they identified Liam Langton and Lewis Wenn, both of whom were on licence from prison after serving a sentence for drugs offences, as well as Jordan Withey, as key facilitators of the drugs line.

This led to a series of warrants being conducted in Bridlington and Scarborough on Wednesday 4 March, subsequently arresting Liam Langton and Jordan Withey. During a search of Withey’s address, officers recovered a significant quantity of class A drugs alongside approximately £7,000 in criminal cash.

Meanwhile, as officers forced entry to Liam Langton’s address, he attempted to dispose of a mobile phone by throwing it outside. The device was seized and would go on to provide crucial evidence linking him to the network, including communications with Lewis Wenn and conversations with his brother, Nathan Langton, who was directing activity from prison.

Detailed analysis of mobile data, CCTV and financial enquiries revealed how members of the group travelled together while operating the drugs and worked collectively to advertise, prepare and distribute cocaine. One piece of CCTV captured Lewis Wenn purchasing a top up voucher for one of the drug line phones before leaving in a vehicle insured by Liam Langton.

Enquiries showed Jordan Withey provided a base from which cocaine was stored and supplied onto the streets of Bridlington, while also holding cash generated through the operation.

Both Jordan Withey and Liam Langton were brought into custody to be questioned and subsequently charged and remanded.

On Wednesday 1 April, Lewis Wenn was traced to a holiday property near South Cave where two mobile phones recovered during his arrest showed messages arranging the supply of cocaine.

Detectives also uncovered conversations between Wenn and a contact saved as “Fat”, later identified as Nathan Langton. The exchanges revealed discussions around the preparation and sale of drugs, while Nathan openly boasted about continuing to make substantial amounts of money despite being behind bars and referred to plans involving drones delivering prohibited items into prison.

On Thursday, 7 May, officers from a specialist prison search team searched Nathan Langton’s cell. As they entered, he dived into bed before eventually handing over a concealed mobile phone.

Examination of the device confirmed it had been used to contact the drugs line and communicate with associates outside prison. Following its seizure, the drugs line ceased operating.

All four men are due to be sentenced on Tuesday, 28 July at Hull Crown Court.

Officer in the case, Police Constable Karl Freeman said:

“This investigation is a perfect example of organised crime not being glamorous or untouchable.

“It’s a group of individuals motivated by money, willing to exploit addiction and bring harm into our communities. Even after three of his associates had been arrested, Nathan still tried to keep the drugs line alive, convinced he could stay one step ahead, which inevitably failed.

“Thanks to the dedication of our officers, specialist analysts and our partners within the prison service, four people who played significant roles in this network face the consequences.

“Every organised crime group we dismantle makes our communities safer, disrupts the supply of dangerous drugs and sends a clear message that there is nowhere criminals can hide, not even behind prison walls.

“We continue to take part in the multi-agency Home Office Clear Hold Build Initiative in Bridlington, which has involved large scale disruption of those involved in organised crime through warrants, arrests and charges, as we do all we can to remove them and the harmful drugs they distribute to our streets.

“Thank you to members of the public who continue to report information to us. We investigate all information that we receive, so please don’t worry if you don’t see immediate action. It enables us to build the bigger picture of evidence to have the best possible chance of a positive court outcome. Please keep talking to us if you have any information about crime in your area.”

You call report information via our non-emergency 101 line or by speaking to local officers. Always call 999 in an emergency.

If you would prefer to report information anonymously you can do so via the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.