Organised Crime Lord Found Guilty Of Conspiracy To Supply Class A Drugs

Karl Pettitt (52), formerly of North Bar Without, Beverley, appeared in court following an extensive investigation by Humberside Police supported by the National Crime Agency into his criminal enterprise.

In conclusion of the four-week trial, Detective Inspector Simon Vickers spoke about the investigation, “Pettitt was clearly living beyond his means since being released from prison for previous drugs offences in 2016.

“His lifestyle included extravagant socialising and expensive designer clothing. His income seemingly coming from an antique business initially in Hull’s trendy Humber Street and then in Beverley’s up-market North Bar Within.

“He manipulated people and exploited their vulnerabilities, leaving a trail of debt and misery behind him.

“Pettitt had a previous conviction in 2007 where he was sentenced to 22 years (reduced to 16 years on appeal) in prison for drug dealing. He was released from HMP Humber in October 2016, having served 10 years in jail, then settling in Hull. He then began to have all the trappings of a wealthy lifestyle and suspicions were raised about how he was able to finance such a lifestyle.

“What was uncovered during our investigation was a history of drug dealing, debt, lies and deception and once we had enough evidence to support our case we were able to act and arrest him.”

Karl Pettitt was arrested in April 2019 as part of a joint operation between the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Humberside Police where a number of warrants were executed in the East Riding of Yorkshire and Hull. During the operation, a large quantity of the class A drugs (cocaine) was recovered. Pettitt was recalled to prison following a breach of his prison release conditions, where he remained to serve a further 30 months of his original prison sentence.

His drug-dealing drew in other local criminal Jordan Marsh (20) who appeared in court as a co-defendant in the conspiracy to supply.”

Karl Pettitt appeared in court on charges of conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine), possession with intent to supply class A drugs. Marsh appeared on charges of conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine) and supply of class B drugs.

Karl Pettitt was found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine) and will be sentenced on 14 May 2021.

Alison Abbott, from the NCA’s lifetime management unit said:

“Pettitt was subject to lifetime management by the NCA after he was convicted in 2007 for drugs smuggling.

“Upon his release from prison, strict conditions meant he had to report his finances and movements to us – something he failed to do numerous times.

“Working with our partners at Humberside, further investigative work led to his re-arrest and today’s outcome.

“This should serve as a reminder to career criminals and their criminal associates that once someone is on our radar, they don’t come off, and the NCA will act upon breaches of any conditions to disrupt serious and organised crime.”

Detective Inspector Simon Vickers added;

“I know that Karl Pettitt’s activities have seriously impacted on the lives of those he came into contact with. I hope that this sentence will give some comfort to this community and offers a deterrent to those who believe they can prosper from a life of criminality.

“Pettitt, clearly convinced so many people that he was a legitimate businessman while continuing to fund his lifestyle by selling drugs to the most vulnerable in our society.

“I want to thank my deputy investigating officer Ian Dobson, the officer in the case DC Karl Palmer, the CPS, and the prosecution team for their tireless work in bringing Karl Pettitt to justice. It is this type of case that gives us the biggest workload but the biggest rewards too.