Four jailed for 23 years over Kettering cocaine and cannabis supply

Four people who pleaded guilty to offences linked to the supply of Class A and B drugs in Kettering have been jailed for a total of 23 years.

Dylan Vanstone, aged 27, his sister Louise Vanstone, aged 35, Gareth Conybeare, aged 27, and Sebastian Wala, aged 37, were arrested last year following an operation by Northamptonshire Police.

On July 23, 2020, the Force acted on information that Dylan Vanstone was using a vehicle without a driving licence, stopping him in Haynes Road, Kettering, and recovering a quantity of cocaine, cannabis, and a baton weapon. A search of his home address in Wood Street also resulted in the recovery of a machete, baseball bat, and £1,000 in cash.

Subsequent investigation of Vanstone’s activities revealed he was involved in the purchase and onward supply of both drugs, buying them by the kilo and then selling in and around Kettering with the help of his sister, Conybeare and Wala.

As a result, in December, a series of seven warrants were executed at addresses in Kettering and Burton Latimer, resulting in the seizure of £14,000 in cash, valuables including luxury jewellery and designer clothing, and over 600g of cocaine with an estimated street value of around £64,000.

All were subsequently charged with a range of offences and entered guilty pleas, appearing at Northampton Crown Court on Friday, September 3, for sentencing.

For conspiracy to supply a Class A drug, Dylan Vanstone, of Wood Street, Kettering, was sentenced to seven and a half years. He was given shorter concurrent sentences for possession of an offensive weapon relating to the baton, and possession of criminal property relating to seized cash. A charge of possession of a Class B drug was ordered to lie on file.

Louise Vanstone, of Orchard Crescent, Kettering, had admitted conspiracy to supply Class A and was sentenced to four and a half years, with a concurrent sentence of six months imposed for the possession of criminal property (again relating to seized cash).

Conybeare, of Lilac Place, Kettering, admitted conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, and was sentenced to three and a half years, plus a concurrent sentence for the supply of cannabis.

Wala, of Kingfisher Way, Burton Latimer, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, possession of criminal property, possession of Class B drugs, and possession of a firearm, relating to a PAVA incapacitant spray, and was sentenced to a total of seven and a half years.

After the hearing, senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Dave Harley said: “Our investigation into Dylan Vanstone came about as a result of information from the community about concerns over his driving.

“However it soon became clear that he was operating as a wholesale supplier of cocaine and cannabis in Kettering, with Sebastian Wala acting as his go-between in sourcing the drugs from outside the county, and involving others including his sister in supplying street dealers in the town.

“People like this seem to think they can operate under the radar and get away with it, but this case shows that it doesn’t take much to bring them to book - all we need is that one thread to pull and we will unravel their illegal activities and bring them to justice.

“Seeing these four go to prison for a long time makes all the hard work that went into this investigation so worthwhile, and sends a clear message that Northamptonshire Police will always take robust action against those seeking to make a profit from the sale of illegal drugs.”

Further legal proceedings relating to the seizure of potential proceeds of crime are due later this year.