Ex-drug lord working for security firm with keys to BIGGEST Freeport
Published: 14:09, 19 January 2025 | Updated: 14:13, 19 January 2025
An ex-drug lord who was jailed for helping run a multi-million-pound cross-border cocaine ring now works at a security firm which holds the keys to Britain's largest freeport.
David Garside, 39, was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in 2015 after he was found to have been one of the 'centre-pins' of a drugs gang which transported cocaine and amphetamine over county lines.
The father-of-three, of Hartlepool, who was said to have been a kingpin's 'right-hand man', is understood to have pocketed almost GBP1million through the illegal trade, and was later ordered by the court to pay back just GBP33k of the profits.
It has now emerged the ex-drug dealer is employed at his father's company NE Security Ltd which has recently had it's contract renewed to provide security at Teesside Freeport - the country's largest of its kind.
The GBP9million deal was granted by South Tees Development Corporation which is chaired by Conservative peer and mayor of Teesside, Ben Houchen.
Garside, who was also previously jailed for his involvement in a brutal machete attack, was released from prison in February 2020 on licence - just five years into his sentence.
And later that same year he began working at his father's security firm as a health and safety advisor, which the company says is still the role he takes.
He was released on licence, which is due to expire in October this year.
David Garside, 39, was sentenced to 11 years and eight months after being convicted for conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs
More than GBP10m worth of drugs were seized during the raids where Garside was found to have been a 'centre-pin' in the drugs gang
A picture taken after his release. Garside was released on licence in 2020 after serving five years of his sentence
The renewal contract for NE Security was awarded by Tees Valley Combined Authority Group and Teesside International Airport for the value of GBP9m, it was revealed by Private Eye last week.
Teesworks is the UK's biggest and best connected industrial zone, aimed at 'unlocking global markets, major trade hubs and offshore projects'.
Spanning 4,500 acres, Teesworks - which NE Security will provide services to - is aimed at regeneration and includes the former Redcar steelworks.
As of January 2024, more than GBP560million in public money, both through grants and borrowing, has been given to the Teesworks project.
It claims to have attracted more than GBP2billion in investments and created 2,500 long-term jobs.
The project is still under construction.
NE Security took on the contract for security at Teesworks in 2021, and it was renewed earlier this month.
The family-owned Hartlepool business was founded by Garside's father, also David Garside, in 1995.
An ex-pro boxer, he founded the company at 18 and grew it to become a well-established name in the area, providing its services to many local businesses.
Garside Jnr was released in 2020 after serving time having pled guilty for conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs.
An image of Teesworks, Britain's largest freeport. The project is still under construction
NE Security, formed in 1995, took on Garside Jnr as an employee in 2020 upon his release
An aerial view of the 4,500-acre Teesworks site, which has had GBP560m of public money committed to it
It was part of one of the biggest-ever drugs operations carried out by Cleveland Police, with several others also imprisoned.
Adrian Morfitt was found to have been the 'Teesside kingpin', and was sentenced to 12 years. Garside Jnr is understood to have been his right-hand man.
Officers launched Operation Rodrigo in 2012 initially to monitor both Morfitt and Garside Jnr, but quickly found out the organised crime group were also working with criminals in Liverpool.
The court heard the estimated street value of the drugs the gang dealt could be up to GBP30m.
Pair Morfitt and Garside Jnr were also previously imprisoned for their role in a 'frenzied' machete attack on a former boxer.
Morfitt's older brother Shaun Morfitt was sentenced to six years and three months in 2010 for attacking Anthony Rowbotham, while Garside Jnr was sentenced to two-and-a-half years for encouraging the attack, including shouting 'give it to him Morfy'.
At the time, Daniel Travers, for Garside Jnr, insisted his client was a 'hardworking young man'.
The defence rings similar to that told by his father in relation to his employment at NE Security, claiming he has rehabilitated and is 'very hardworking'.
On Garside Jnr's role at NE Security, the firm clarified: 'David Garside Jnr is an employee of NE Security Ltd.
His position in the company is a health and safety manager.
A photo taken of David Jnr when he was imprisoned for his involvement in a machete attack in 2010
NE Security has been granted a renewal of its contract to provide security for the freeport being built
The firm just recently closed its old head office and opened the doors to its new and improved office in Enterprise House, also in Hartlepool
'This is evidenced in numerous external and independent audits and inspections. He is NEBOSH Certified which is national qualification and he is fully trained for the role.'
They confirmed that Garside Jnr is not involved with any security services, only health and safety, and has no involvement himself with the Teesworks contract.
Addressing concerns regarding his previous convictions, his father insisted he had reformed and was a trained member of the team.
He said: 'The lengthy sentence in 2015 reflected the serious nature of his conviction, and in my opinion, justice was rightly served.
'David Jnr was punished for his actions, accepted responsibility and dealt with the consequences for him and his family.
'David Jnr became a model inmate; he made the choice to work hard, study and further educate himself. He gained a NEBOSH qualification in health and safety using the prison education system made available to him.
'He did not sit idle during incarceration; he learned from mistakes made and began a journey of rehabilitation.
To his credit he planned a different future for himself and his family and for that I am very proud of him.
'When released from prison, David Jnr was very fortunate to have a family to support him and provide permanent employment and a new career development.
A photo taken from when Daily Mail columnist Robert Hardman visited the Teesworks site in 2022
The freeport used to be the site of Redcar steelworks, which closed in 2015, cutting more than 2,000 jobs, making way for the Teesside regeneration project
'The opportunity for him to work as an employee for NE Security on his release came with stringent and demanding conditions; these included hard work, long hours, to always represent the company and his colleagues in a lawful professional manner, work with his experienced mentors in health and safety, continual learning and improvement and for him to become a role model to others.
'I can assure you his reintroduction into NE Security has not been made easy for him in any way.
I can also state he has never swayed from the mentioned conditions; he is a valued and respected employee of NE Security.'
'If a company is unable employ persons with convictions it means that no one can learn from mistakes, improve their lives, be rehabilitated or positively contribute to society.'
'NE Security is extremely proud to have been awarded the contract to provide security services to the Teesworks facility.
NE Security openly disclose David Jnr's role in the company to all clients.
'To reiterate David Jnr is not involved with and has no influence with any security services whatsoever, whether this be with Teesworks, the Freeport or other sites; as stated above his role is with health & safety involving many prestigious clients in the UK.'
South Tees Development Corporation was approached for comment by MailOnline.
References
- ^ PIRIYANGA THIRUNIMALAN (www.dailymail.co.uk)