They ran the business from a small apartment in Bulwell, with Lees recruiting Whorlow, a freeway worker, to provide cover when Covid national restrictions threatened to stifle its operation. Between March and June 2020, regional detectives found that the couple was supplying more than ,5 4.5 million worth of cocaine to organized crime gangs in Nottinghamshire, Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. One day, in May 2020, the couple was caught on closed circuit television wearing distinctive high-visibility pants as they drove into the van that contained several sets of temporary lanterns. They returned to Lees’s apartment with a box and bag containing 20 kilograms of cocaine, which were later sold. Read more: The Face of Mapperley charity box thief has been described as “the worst of humanity” On June 11, Lees used the same trick to gain 21 pounds from a contact at the Kettering service station. However, in this case, police were waiting outside Lees’s apartment at Springhead Court. Inside they found the drugs and more than .000 90,000 in cash that was hidden under the floorboards. In a desperate attempt to escape, Lees jumped out of a window and suffered a broken ankle as a result. Whorlow was implicated after detectives linked him to the crime with evidence found in Lees’s apartment. This included an encrypted cell phone “encrochat” used to communicate with other criminals. (Image: Nottinghamshire Police) Appearing at Harrow Crown Court on Friday, March 25, Lees, from Hoylake Crescent, was sentenced to 13 years and two months in prison. Whorlow, 40, of Goldham Road, was jailed at a previous hearing for ten years and nine months. Nottinghamshire Police Detective Inspector Mark Adas said: “It goes without saying that most drug dealers prefer to operate in the shadows – keeping a low profile by doing what they can to avoid being noticed. “However, Lees and Whorlow have taken a very bold approach to operating in public view and driving openly in a very distinctive vehicle. “It was clear that they saw this approach as a way to combine during the lock-down, when far fewer cars were on the road and strict restrictions were placed on individual freedoms. “As most people remained in their homes and thousands more died, Lees and Whorlow used the pandemic as an opportunity to commit very serious crimes. “I’m excited that they have been brought to justice and that a very significant amount of drugs has been taken off the streets.” Read more related articles Read more related articles
