A DRUG dealer who escaped from prison and fled to Thailand has been jailed after being tracked down by police.
Kyle Nelson, 38, was known for his role in a major network that sold heroin, crack cocaine and other drugs in York.
Nelson had been serving a nine-year prison sentence for conspiracy to supply cocaine in 2022 and was moved to an open prison.
He escaped when he was on day release in 2024 and travelled to Scotland, Ireland then Thailand using criminal associates and forged passports under the names Carl Green and James Tetley.
The drug dealer was known for his major role in a network that sold heroin, crack cocaine and other drugs in York
(Image: North Yorkshire Police)
While there, he embarked on a lavish lifestyle, police said, riding jet skis and buying a Rolex among other expensive items.
Nelson, who is originally from Manchester but lived in Acomb, York, returned to the UK in 2025 and immediately began running class-A drugs in an organised crime network which he codenamed the ‘Banksy line’.
He tried to evade detection by moving between addresses, the court heard, protected by criminal associates.
Nelson lived a lavish lifestyle after he fled to Thailand in 2024, buying a Rolex and taking selfies while riding a jet ski
(Image: North Yorkshire Police)
He was arrested after he was linked to a vehicle travelling from Wetherby to York in April 2025.
Upon stopping the vehicle, police found a mobile phone with Banksy line information on it.
Police said: “He was arrested, taken into police custody and charged with being concerned in the supply of class-A drugs and unlawful escape from prison.”
Nelson was found guilty by a unanimous verdict from a jury at York Crown Court on Wednesday (August 12).
He was tracked down after a mobile phone with links to Nelson and 'Banksy line' information was found in a car
(Image: North Yorkshire Police)
He received an 11-year prison sentence.
After the hearing, PC Wayne Sharrocks of North Yorkshire Police, said: “Kyle Nelson used his extensive criminal network to escape from a nine-year prison sentence for drug supply offences, flee the country, and live a life of luxury abroad.
“When he finally returned to the UK, he immediately continued selling crack cocaine and heroin on the streets of York using his own brand name ‘Banksy’."
Nelson had escaped when he was on day release in 2024 and travelled to Scotland, Ireland then Thailand using criminal associates and forged passports under the names Carl Green and James Tetley
(Image: North Yorkshire Police)
He added: “Operation Sentry works closely with intelligence analysts and other operational support units within North Yorkshire Police to tackle county drug lines operating.
“In this instance we were able to gather evidence, attribute it to Nelson and arrest him within weeks of becoming aware of the Banksy drugs line and put Nelson back behind bars, where he belongs.
“The 11-year sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence.
“We continue to work hard to stop county lines operating in North Yorkshire.”