Family drug dealing conspiracy snuffed-out in Scarborough

A mother and son from Scarborough have been sent to prison for three years after Operation Expedite officers caught them dealing drugs including Class A cocaine and ecstasy.

Kirsty Anne Burnett, aged 41, and Andrew James Peter Burnett, aged 20, both of King Street, were sentenced at York Crown Court today (Tuesday 6 June 2023).

 

 

 

Both had previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cocaine, MDMA (often known as ecstasy), cannabis, and Class C drugs diazepam, bromazolam and etizolam between May and November 2021.

Operation Expedite officers, who are part of a proactive team who target drug-related crime and other serious offending, carried out a warrant at the family flat in November 2021.

They seized drugs, mobile phones and other related evidence to help develop the long-running investigation.

This resulted in the mother and son being jointly charged with six offences in January 2023.

Officer in the case, PC Jessie Landers of Operation Expedite, said:

“Drug use and dealing ruins families and this investigation highlights how different generations of the same family become embroiled in the trade.

“Kirsty and Andrew Burnett are mother and son who have chosen to engage in the sale of drugs. The saying ‘you’d do anything for your children’ is sadly true in this case, with Kirsty taking instructions from Andrew on where to go and who to deal to via text message.

“It was clearly a well-planned operation with Kirsty even warning Andrew two days before the warrant: ‘Son, I’m not joking, the undercover drugs squad were watching…we need to lay low’.

“During the warrant, evidence was located in the form of drugs, mobile phones, digital scales and deal bags in a box marked with Andrew’s name. Text messages recovered between the pair gave the mother and son no choice but to plead guilty to their crimes.

“The area where they live is one of the most deprived in the country where drug addiction is a deep concern.

“The actions of the Burnetts were only adding to the misery and despair of the community which will not be tolerated by North Yorkshire Police and our partner agencies.”

 

Reporting information about drug-related crime 

Anyone with any information about suspected drug-related crime are urged to make a report via the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101, select option 1, and speak to the Force Control Room.

Always dial 999 if an emergency response is required.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or make a report online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

 

The signs of drug dealing can include

• Increased callers at a property at all times of the day or night
• Increase in cars pulling up for short periods of time
• Different accents at a property
• Anti-social behaviour at a property
• Not seeing the resident for long periods of time
• Drug-related rubbish – small plastic bags, syringes
• Windows covered or curtains closed for long periods

 

Get professional support for drug-related issues

• Drink Drug Hub website www.drinkdrughub.co.uk
• North Yorkshire Rise – young people's specialist drug and alcohol service- freephone 08000 14 14 80 (option 2) – www.humankindcharity.org.uk/service/nyrise/
• North Yorkshire Horizons - adult specialist drug and alcohol service - freephone 08000 14 14 80 – www.nyhorizons.org.uk/
• City of York Drug and Alcohol Service - 01904 464 680 – www.changing-lives.org.uk/services/drug-alcohol/york-drug-alcohol-support-services/
• NHS – https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/drug-addiction-getting-help/
• FRANK helpline and information - https://www.talktofrank.com/