Three sentenced for role in Bridlington county lines scheme

The operation, which funnelled cocaine into Bridlington from West Yorkshire through a scheme that included drug runners and rotating phone lines, was uncovered by police after an operation spanning close to eight months.

All three were sentenced at Hull Crown Court last Friday (December 15) and received a total of over 15 years behind bars.

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Mason Markham, 30-years-old, of Industrial Avenue in Birstall – who directed the operation throughout, replacing people and relaunching phone lines as others were arrested – pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A cocaine and possession of criminal property.

He was sentenced to twelve years behind bars and was imposed a Serious Crime Prevention Order of five years which will take effect upon his release from prison.

Nathan Cunningham, 31, of Albion Street in Dewsbury, received three years and four months after pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and Venetia Webb, 31, of Prickett Road in Bridlington, was handed a suspended sentence of one year and ten months for the same charge.

Detective Inspector Matt Grantham, from Humberside Police, said: “This was a complex and sustained investigation into organised drug supply across county lines. The timeframe of the investigation reflects the scale of this case.

“Officers analysed numerous devices, thousands of messages and extensive financial and communications evidence to ensure the charges reflected the full extent of offending and that the case file was robust.”

The investigation, which began in April 2024, focused on a chain of cocaine supply routes traced from West Yorkshire to Bridlington with specialist detectives conducting drugs warrants at targeted addresses that were suspected to be linked to the network

On April 16 2024, officers seized £85,000 in cash and approximately £320,000 worth of cocaine from a 35‑year‑old man, a known associate to Markham, with phone evidence he was collecting debts and moving drugs using a phone line operated by Markham.

A device belonging to Markham was later recovered after being thrown from a window with detectives believing he directed the network, replacing individuals and relaunching phone lines as parts of the operation were disrupted by arrests.

Markham absconded to West Yorkshire, and the 35‑year‑old man, Markham’s accomplice, later pleaded guilty to acting as custodian of the drugs and cash and received a prison sentence of six years and six months in April 2024.

Further warrants in July 2024 resulted in the recovery of devices, which showed further coordination of the drug distribution network including messages referencing a line labelled “MM”, adverts seeking “runners to work for Mason”

After this in October 2024, enquiries showed Nathan Cunningham was running the drugs line from a bail hostel in Batley, West Yorkshire, where he was sending bulk texts advertising the sale of cocaine.

Cunningham used his partner, Venetia Webb, to deal at street level in Bridlington, while Markham stayed in overall control.

Warrants conducted on December 30 2024, at addresses linked to the trio in West Yorkshire resulted in further arrests and device seizures.

Markham was found inside the property and subsequently arrested, and a mobile phone suspected to belong to him was recovered nearby – which set out his role in sourcing cocaine, supplying Cunningham for onward street dealing, and directing runners.

Detective Inspector Matt Grantham said: “Markham, Cunningham, and Webb played clear roles in a criminal network that sought to profit from bringing significant quantities of class A drugs into Bridlington, with no regard for the consequences or the harm they cause.

“Our teams work relentlessly to dismantle organised crime groups, protect those at risk of exploitation, and prosecute those responsible.

“Thanks to the persistence and dedication of everyone involved in this investigation, we’ve been able to shut down this network and remove a significant quantity of harmful drugs from the community.

“This work forms part of multi-agency Clear Hold Build initiative in Bridlington which aims to clear criminal influence and build long-term resilience with the community through partnership working.”

He also thanked the public for their continued support and urged anyone with concerns to contact police, or report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.