Cross Green drug den caused 'significant problems' for decent hard working people in the community

A judge described how the illegal activity at the property on Cautley Road, Cross Green, caused significant problems for local residents.

Judge Geoffry Marson QC made the comments as he sentenced Adam Hunter, Connor Bass and Lucy Tucker after reading a community impact statement from West Yorkshire Police about the effect of their offending.

Hunter, 27, was locked up for seven years and six months after pleading guilty to a series of drugs offences. Bass, 19, was sent to a young offender institution for 22 months and Tucker, 23, was handed a suspended sentence.

Leeds Crown Court heard police executed a search warrant on May 15 this year after receiving complaints from local resident about the smell of cannabis coming from the property and people constantly coming and going from the address.

Hunter was often seen coming out of the house and engaging with people in cars parked outside.

The Judge said: "Cautley Road was the address at which all three of you were living.

"It is apparent that over a period of time it was a drugs den.

"There would be frequent visitors to the house which had a video and audio monitoring system and people would arrive regularly in order to buy cannabis.

"It is clear from the community impact evidence that I have heard that there is a prevalence in this particular area and it caused significant problems for decent, honest, hard-working residents in the area.

"Furthermore, this address was being used, particularly as far as you are concerned Adam Hunter, in relation to the supplying of amphetamine and also for the preparation of wholesale quantities of cocaine.

"Dealing in drugs is a serious matter, particularly class A drugs. They bring misery and occasional death to the users.

Sergeant Chad Stevens, of Leeds District Neighbourhood Impact Team, said: “This was a significant seizure of substantial amounts of drugs that were clearly destined to be dealt on the streets of our communities where would have fuelled crime and anti-social behaviour.

“This came about as a result of proactive work by the team in relation to the theft of a motorbike in the city centre, and shows the link between acquisitive crime and the organised supply of drugs.

“We hope the sentences that those involved have received will serve as a deterrent to others and also reassure the community of our commitment to keep targeting the supply of drugs and associated crime.”

At the sentencing hearing, Judge Marson commended five West Yorkshire Police officers for their work on the case, saying: "This was a significant investigation by the police.

"It led to the confiscation of a significant amount of class A and B drugs and the officers displayed not only professionalism but dedication which was beyond what one would expect of competent police officers."