Two men have been sentenced today (7 November) for supplying cocaine.
Andrew Bell, aged 35, of Primrose Drive, Penrith pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to acquiring/using criminal property, conspiring to supply cocaine and possessing an offensive weapon. He received a 10 year sentence.
Eyup Bayram, aged 35, of Lansdowne Road, Bournemouth was found guilty at a trial of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, acquiring/using criminal property and conspiring to supply cocaine. He received an eight-year sentence.
Both were sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court.
The sentencing comes after a vehicle driven by Bayram travelled from the South Coast of the country to Penrith to visit Bell.
On 17 January 2025, officers witnessed an exchange between the two. Shortly after, Bell entered an addressed in Penrith, where officers followed and detained him.
Within the address was a kilogram block of cocaine, matching what had been exchanged with Bayram. Alongside this, other class A drugs and paraphernalia were located.
Bayram was detained in his vehicle, which contained large amounts of cash counted to £26, 940 and packaging which matched what Bell had handed over.
Upon review of devices seized it became clear that Bayram had carried out several trips to Penrith in the previous months, with an estimated 10kg of cocaine being brought into Cumbria.
A spokesperson from Westmorland and Furness’ Community and Serious Organised Crime (CSOC) Unit said: “Drug dealing can cause so much harm, often targeting and involving the most vulnerable members of our communities.
“Bayram and Bell sought to profit from their illegal activities, and it simply will not be tolerated here in Cumbria.
“This sentencing is just the latest result in our ongoing effort to stamp out organised crime as part of Operation Alliance.
“We are committed to pursuing those who conspire to supply drugs in our communities, and I hope the sentence shows the public that we are taking action and acts as a deterrent to anyone thinking of travelling into our county to deal drugs.”
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