BY JAMES SIMONS AND ERIC KING
A Leeds Metropolitan University student has been jailed for peddling drugs using a defunct Silk Road website, hidden from public view because of its dark content.
The criminal students used an array of illegal drugs into the country and made money selling them to their fellow students. Drug dealing is shockingly prevalent among University students in Leeds, though this is not necessarily uncommon across Universities in the country. We blended with University students in Hyde Park pub, about 6mins drive from Headingley Mount where the ring leader resided. It is located very close to Headingley stadium which hosts big football and rugby matches.
DRUGS OPERATION
Ringleader Liam Reynolds, 21, ran the operation from a student house in Headingley Mount, where other members of the group lived. Headingley Mount is home to a number of University students in both Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan students, and many house parties are hosted there and Headingley Avenue which runs parallell to Headingley Mount. Even bright students from these Universities use recreational drugs regularly, with MDMA, LSD, and Cannabis, one of the most popular drugs used to boost the quality of parties, many of which go on all night.
Ringleader Liam Reynolds, 21, ran the operation from a student house in Headingley Mount, where other members of the group lived. Headingley Mount is home to a number of University students in both Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan students, and many house parties are hosted there and Headingley Avenue which runs parallell to Headingley Mount. Even bright students from these Universities use recreational drugs regularly, with MDMA, LSD, and Cannabis, one of the most popular drugs used to boost the quality of parties, many of which go on all night.
CONSIGNMENTS
The students ordered consignments of MDMA, LSD and cannabis from international suppliers over an extended period of time through the website, which were sent to the UK by post. The court heard that Payments were made using Bitcoin – a digital form of currency that effectively protects the identity of the payer. Reynolds is believed to have been emulating the lead character from ‘Breaking pad’- a television programme depicting a teacher involved in the drug trade. An image of the television bad boy charcter as well as a T shirt depicting an image of the character was found on their text message.Yorkshire police who frequent both Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan University uncovered the drugs operation following tips about the University crooks’ drug dealing.
The students ordered consignments of MDMA, LSD and cannabis from international suppliers over an extended period of time through the website, which were sent to the UK by post. The court heard that Payments were made using Bitcoin – a digital form of currency that effectively protects the identity of the payer. Reynolds is believed to have been emulating the lead character from ‘Breaking pad’- a television programme depicting a teacher involved in the drug trade. An image of the television bad boy charcter as well as a T shirt depicting an image of the character was found on their text message.Yorkshire police who frequent both Leeds and Leeds Metropolitan University uncovered the drugs operation following tips about the University crooks’ drug dealing.
INCRIMINATING
Detectives also found incriminating text messages making references to drugs transactions . The foolish group also had photographs of drugs and images of group members posing with drugs and cash. The shortsighted group were charged in May last year with a number of offences including conspiracy to import controlled drugs and conspiracy to supply controlled drugs.
Delivering his verdict, Judge James Spencer stated “You no doubt went to university with your ambitions very high, and your self assessment very high, and you think you know everything and you think you can do everything without any responsibility. “It may come as a shock to you that the law applies equally to you as everybody else.”
One error the judge may have made is that students who go University all have high ambitions. Some students attend University because they want to leave home and they know they can get a loan to support their studies. Others contemplate the prospects of selling drugs and making money, just like these stupid students did. Not everybody who attends a University is actually smart, even if they are academically capable. Besides, Leeds Metropolitan University is subordinate to the more prestigious Leeds University-just a stones throw away from Leeds University. It is not considered a real University, even though this view is not true.
One female final year Leeds student who did not wish to be named told eye of Media, ” the common question here in Leeds has always been ”do you go to the met or the real Uni”? Leeds Metropolitan University has recently changed its name to Leeds Beckett University, and is better known for sports than it is for academic excellence.
LOWER ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
”The entry requirements are much lower than for Leeds Uni, and students at Leeds University are generally a lot brighter than those who attend Leeds Metropolitan University. Only unintelligent people would have pictures of themselves posing with drugs and cash when they know they are actually selling drugs. I don’t know anyone in Leeds University who sells drugs, but if they did, they certainly would not be stupid enough to pose for photos with drugs and cash and have those pictures on their phone. It is really dim and stupid”,
The above comments do not mean that bright students do not attend Leeds Beckett University, because is well known that students can under achieve in their A levels, and A levels are very challenging given the broad contents on which students are assessed.
Detective Inspector Jaz Khan- head of the Leeds district’s specialist drugs team, Operation Quartz and Proceeds of Crime Act team, said: “This was a very sophisticated and highly organised criminal enterprise that for a sustained period of time imported substantial quantities of controlled drugs into the UK and supplied them in the city’s student community.
“They thought that they could frustrate law enforcement by using the internet’s Dark Web to avoid detection but that proved not to be the case.
“The use of controlled drugs presents real risks to young people’s well being and to our communities. One of parents’ worst fears when their children go away to university is that they will come into contact with controlled drugs. Here was a group of young men who were exploiting their positions within that student community to supply other students with access to a range of substances that were bought from abroad and could contain anything.
“They thought that they could frustrate law enforcement by using the internet’s Dark Web to avoid detection but that proved not to be the case.
“The use of controlled drugs presents real risks to young people’s well being and to our communities. One of parents’ worst fears when their children go away to university is that they will come into contact with controlled drugs. Here was a group of young men who were exploiting their positions within that student community to supply other students with access to a range of substances that were bought from abroad and could contain anything.
“These men were studying at university and had opportunities open to them that many others don’t but instead of putting their efforts into their legitimate academic endeavours they chose to operate a criminal trade in drugs.
“We hope the sentences they have received will serve as a stark reminder to others of the penalties they will face if they choose to involve themselves in the supply of controlled drugs.”
They have all seriously damaged any prospects of a bright future and are a disgrace to their families and Universities.
Professor Paul Smith, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Strategic Development at Leeds Beckett, said: “A number of students were suspended from attending our university in 2014, pending the outcome of criminal proceedings. We continue to work closely with West Yorkshire Police to support any investigations and protect our university community from the illegal possession, supply and use of drugs. The seriousness of the offences committed by these students is reflected in the sentences handed down by the Court and will be reflected in the severity of any sanctions applied through our University’s student disciplinary procedure.”
Leeds Becketts University work closely with a police liaison officer, and we at eye of media hope they will be using all the resources and ingenuity they have to infiltrate any drug pushers that may still be operating undetected at the University. They are compromising the integrity of the University and the optimum potential of students. They are in University, not on the streets, so should know better.
Picture by ‘Liam Reynolds
