Three men involved in bringing large quantities of heroin to Norwich as part of an operation allegedly organised by a convicted killer from his cell have been jailed for a total of 25 years.
Prosecutors say Liam Duffy – who is serving 20 years behind bars for his role in a gangland killing – used mobile phones from inside prison to organise the trafficking of class A drugs from Liverpool to Norfolk.
The conspiracy came to light after heroin with an estimated street value of up to £200,000 was found in a van in Swansea Road, Norwich in August 2014.
Tony Rimmer and Carl Fairfield, both from Liverpool, and Rocky Gamble, from Avenue Road, Norwich, were arrested and charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
Their arrests prompted an investigation which uncovered mobile phone evidence which revealed Rimmer and Fairfield were involved in bringing heroin to Norfolk in an operation which the prosecution say was organised by Duffy, using banned mobile phones, while in prison in Rochdale.
Rimmer, 29, Fairfield, 39, and Gamble, 31, appeared at Norwich Crown Court yesterday to be sentenced having previously admitted conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
Fairfield, who also admitted a separate drugs conspiracy matter, was jailed for nine years while Rimmer,and Gamble were each given eight years.
David Morris, for Fairfield, said he should be given full credit for his pleas and described his role as a 'driver'.
Tom Watson, for Rimmer, said his client pleaded on
the basis that he was recruited, not an organiser and had no control over others involved.
Stephen Spence, for Gamble, said he should be given credit for his plea and he played a 'significant' but not leading role.
Duffy, 35, has also admitted the offence but has denied being the organiser and will be dealt with separately on a different date.
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