Drug dealers guilty of running criminal network from jail
Four members of an organised crime group pleaded guilty at Hull Crown Court 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 our 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, March 4, 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.
All four men are due to be sentenced on Tuesday, July 28 at Hull Crown Court after pleading guilty on Monday, July 13.
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.
“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.”