Four guilty of money laundering

from top left: John Dawes, Arthur Dawes, Ryan Smith, Rebecca Bridge

Four people accused of laundering millions of pounds of drug money from a base in Nottinghamshire have been found guilty by a jury.

The verdicts came after a nine-week trial at Nottingham Crown Court. All four remain in custody for sentencing.

The jury took six hours to convict the gang who denied all charges.

The gang were Rebecca Bridge, 23, of Central Avenue, Skegness, John Dawes, 27, Arthur Dawes, 59, and Ryan Smith, 23, all from Sutton-in-Ashfield.

The gang controlled a vast drug-dealing network Assistant Chief Constable Sue Fish

John Dawes, from Tudor Street, Sutton, who was said to be the ring leader, and Smith, of Ashland Road, Sutton, were also found guilty of conspiracy to supply heroin and amphetamines.

The offences took place over six years up to September 2003.

The court was told that in one seven-month period £5m was moved around the UK and abroad.

The jury were told John Dawes cultivated a reputation for violence and few stood in his way.

But one man was put in such fear he decided to hand himself in to the police and give evidence.

John Dawes awaits sentencing on drug and money laundering charges

The team involved his father Arthur, who is also known as Eddie, from Taylor Crescent, Sutton, and Bridge, the partner of Dawes senior, who acted as bookkeeper.

The prosecution told the jury the crew sought to dominate the illegal supply of drugs in north Nottinghamshire.

Sue Fish, Assistant chief constable of Notts Police, described the four as "ruthless dealers".

She said: "They are incredibly violent, dangerous people and the threat they posed to prosecution witnesses, both civil and professional, should not be underestimated.

"The gang controlled a vast drug-dealing network and was responsible for the importation of huge quantities of drugs sold on the streets of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and other parts of the UK."

She said the trial detailed money laundering to the value of £8m, but police believe that was only the "tip of the iceberg".