Drugs accused 'unaware' of deals

A man accused of being one of three "drugs generals" in Nottinghamshire did not know his close friends were drug dealers, a court has heard.

Gary Hardy, 45, from The Copse, Mansfield, denies conspiracy to supply drugs and money laundering offences.

Giving evidence in his defence at Nottingham Crown Court, Mr Hardy said it was a coincidence his associates had been convicted of supplying drugs.

He denied any involvement in drugs saying "it was not his field".

Gary Hardy told a court his cash came from legitimate businesses

The court heard how Mr Hardy was friends with Stuart Bown, 39 of Reedsmere Cottage, Darley Dale, who has been convicted of cannabis cultivation and John Dawes, 39, from Sutton-in-Ashfield who was jailed for 24 years in 2005, for supplying Class A drugs.

He said he did not know they were drug dealers.

Crack cocaine

Mr Hardy's brother Paul Hardy, 48, and mother, June Muers, 67, both from Kirkby-in-Ashfield also deny conspiracy to supply drugs.

The jury heard how drug addict Paul Hardy spent "everything he had on crack cocaine", according to his brother, spending nearly £100,000 to fund his habit.

Prosecutor Richard Latham QC asked Gary Hardy how his brother Paul, who has previous convictions for dealing drugs, could afford to drive a £60,000 Range Rover and later a Mercedes, when his only source of income was a £200-a-week salary from Gary Hardy's business.

Mr Hardy said he did not know but would assume "it would have to come from dealing drugs".

He denied knowing anything about Paul Hardy's sources of income.

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

Paul Hardy's former partner Zoe Chapman, 29, of Rich Close, Sutton-in-Ashfield also denies conspiracy to supply drugs.

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 court heard.

The case continues.