Drug Trafficker Jailed After Glorifying Crimes in Rap Song
A drug dealing ringleader who pumped heroin and crack cocaine onto the streets of Redcar has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after recording a rap track that glorified his criminal enterprise. Bradley Clough, 25, of Thrush Road, Redcar, was described as "top of the tree" in the conspiracy that officers foiled in September 2024.
Rap Lyrics and Photos Provide Crucial Evidence
The song, discovered on Clough's mobile phone, boasted that he "run the town with white and brown," a clear reference to heroin and cocaine. When initially questioned by detectives, Clough defiantly told officers to "prove it" – a challenge they were able to meet using evidence from his own phone.
Detective Sergeant Collingwood from the Dedicated Drugs Unit at Cleveland Police explained: "Crucial evidence taken from Clough's phone included photos of him holding large amounts of cash, incriminating messages relating to the supply of drugs, and even a rap song he had made about his drug dealing antics."
Gang Operation and Sentencing
Clough's gang had been moving kilos of class A and C drugs across the area, utilizing two drug lines to advertise deals of heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and zopiclone tablets. The criminal enterprise racked up an estimated £80,000 in profits before being dismantled by law enforcement.
Six members or associates of the conspiracy appeared in court on Friday, April 11, 2026. Clough, identified as the ringleader, received a 15-year sentence, while his right-hand man, 26-year-old Callum Quinn, was jailed for 11 years. The remaining defendants received custodial terms for their lesser roles in the operation.
Detailed Lyrics Reveal Criminal Mindset
The full lyrics of Clough's rap provide insight into his criminal mindset:
- "A run this town with white and brown"
- "A got a mad little crack round"
- "No weed a smoke more than your selling"
- "Come round here a teach yas all a lesson"
- "What a got and what a made a count it all. As a blessing"
- "Coz wen a was in my cell man a was stressing about my line"
- "Ppl taking the p**s coz a got bit of time"
- "My new grafter trying to snake me on my line"
Detective Sergeant Collingwood noted that Clough set up the drugs line when he was released from prison last year and ran the operation without directly handling the drugs himself. "He let the others do his dirty work," the detective explained.
Police Response and Future Implications
"Hopefully Clough's time in prison will inspire further raps about what it's like to spend time behind bars," Detective Sergeant Collingwood commented. "We are pleased with the success of this investigation; taking drugs off the streets and five people in prison paying for their crimes."
The case demonstrates how modern evidence collection, including digital content from mobile devices, can play a crucial role in securing convictions against organized criminal enterprises.
