Accused man was 'drugs general'

A man accused of running a heroin and cocaine ring in Nottinghamshire has been described in court as one of three "drugs generals" leading the operation.

Giving evidence at Nottingham Crown Court, a witness, who cannot be identified for security reasons, named Gary Hardy as one of the generals.

He said Mr Hardy, along with convicted drug dealer John Dawes, ran the business in Sutton-in-Ashfield.

Mr Hardy, 45, from Mansfield, denies drugs and money laundering charges.

Turf agreement

The witness explained how an agreement had been reached between Mr Hardy and John Dawes to divide up the Sutton-in-Ashfield area in terms of drug distribution and wealth, to avoid starting a turf war.

He said each of the men, whom he described as "drugs generals", made £8,000 profit from every kilogram of heroin sold in Sutton-in-Ashfield, which would happen every seven to 10 days.

John Dawes is currently serving a 24-year jail sentence for conspiracy to supply heroin and amphetamine and money laundering.

Mr Hardy's brother Paul Hardy, 48, of Willow Avenue, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, his mother June Muers, 67 from Pearl Avenue, Kirkby-in-Ashfield and Paul's former partner Zoe Chapman, 29, of Rich Close, Sutton-in-Ashfield all deny conspiracy to supply drugs.

Carl Busby, 46, from Clipstone, and described by the prosecution as Gary Hardy's cashier, is facing money laundering charges with Mr Hardy.

On 4 January 2007, the day all five defendants were arrested, police seized drugs with a street value of almost £70,000 and more than £16,000 in cash from June Muers' home.

The case continues.