Preston Crown Court (Image: Liverpool Echo) A man who allowed county lines drug dealers to use his girlfriend's house as a base in Chorley has been jailed. "Communication evidence supported by police observations and drug seizures provided vital evidence that enabled the police and CPS to build a strong case to secure these convictions and shut down the criminal network. Yes, that's true. Police seized 237,000 from his home in December 2020 but just months later a second search led the recovery of 15kgs of heroin. "These convictions reflect our commitment to dismantling organised crime groups who seek to profit from a trade that causes misery to communities. It is launching a campaign on Snapchat aimed at boys aged 13 to 15 in London, Birmingham and Liverpool to warn them away from getting involved with the criminal networks. Read the details. He was jailed for 13 years and six months after admitting conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine, ketamine and MDMA at Liverpool Crown Court. 7m down the drain but worse still, the notorious family was rumbled. They had a villa in Spain bought with state handouts, while the drugs cash poured in and business was good. Det Ch Supt Kameen said his force was "supporting her family as they try to come to terms with this tragedy". It was particularly concerning to find that some of the youths also carried weapons. "The realities of life as a drug smuggler arent just about the misery they inflict on their communities but also on themselves. "The series' intention is to build an understanding of why young people (like Burton in the late 1980s) get drawn into the illegal drug trade, and what the repercussions of that are - for others and themselves. We abide by the Editors Code of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. DI Smoothy added: This case sends a clear message to the public that where the evidence supports a prosecution, we will not tolerate criminality of this nature and public safety will always come first. Police allege a man driving an Audi took police on a pursuit before they stopped him on the M1 near Cameron Park and allegedly uncovered nearly a kilogram of ice. Many of the young offenders had street dealer roles but sometimes their involvement went deeper and included directing operations and carrying weapons. 1) Go to our dedicated newsletter page at this link. DJ Andy Carroll (left) discusses how music and drugs intertwined. Were relentless in our pursuit of these heartless human traffickers, and we are utilising modern slavery legislation to ensure they serve adequately lengthy jail terms.. Gang leaders orchestrating a huge drug supply operation linking Devon and Liverpool used children to arrange deals and sell heroin and crack cocaine to addicts. The conviction is the latest in the huge police operation that followed the cracking of the EncroChat system. The detective said "his love of Stilton cheese" ultimately led to his downfall after his palm and fingerprints were analysed and it was established they belonged to Stewart. var dropdown = document.getElementById( "archives-dropdown-8" ); In the end it was all about the money. "It's gone right to the heart of what we are as a community, what we are as a city, and what we are as a country. This isnt simple work, organised crime constantly evolves tactically and its insidious nature and influence demands that, as in this case, it is a system and community approach reliant on the public support.. Take our poll and tell us what you think, Man banned from touching parking meters in Liverpool, Cannabis farmer jailed after police raid home hiding substantial drug grow, Laughing gas lout who left teen seriously injured after hit-and-run locked up again, Violent thug faces further jail time after dragging, punching and choking victim, Young skier 'beaming from ear to ear' in podium finish at Italian competition, Angry protests erupt over Greek rail disaster, How fake copyright complaints are muzzling journalists, Fire knocks out half of Argentina's power grid, How 10% of Nigerian registered voters delivered victory, Sake brewers toast big rise in global sales, The Indian-American CEO who wants to be US president, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip. function onSelectChange() { "So I firmly do believe that the information needed will get into the police's hands [so they can] take these people off the streets.". Harry and Meghan told to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage, Explosive found in check-in luggage at US airport, Fungus case forces Jack Daniels to halt construction, China and Belarus call for peace in Ukraine, Aboriginal spears taken in 1770 to return to Sydney, Rare Jurassic-era bug found at Arkansas Walmart. These are the faces of 33 crooks jailed for their role in peddling misery across Widnes. Bobby Allen was identified as the EncroChat user 'AcidGlove' by police who had discovered a photo album containing shots of the pet dachshund in his bedroom. Ecstasy was bringing happiness. You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk, Secret network messages can be evidence - judges, Gang caught after police cracked encrypted phones, Where's the best place to live in Liverpool? Mr Walmsley said: He has a long-term partner and assures me he feels genuine remorse for his actions.. The brutal murder of 18-year-old Michael Toohey. A Liverpool drug dealer atom-hawk has been jailed today, Friday 16 December, for his leading role in Encrochat drugs supply. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. Joseph and Gregory Mulhare ran a huge drugs operation, delivering vast shipments of cocaine and ecstacy across Liverpool, Bristol, Milton Keynes, Swindon, Oxford, Weston-Super-Mare, as well as . Neither Nee nor the gunman have any links with the family. However, the gang was brought down in a series of dawn raids after their secretive EncroChat messages were obtained by detectives. In total, the gang was linked to 48kg of cocaine, 22kg of heroin and 30kg of cannabis. Cricket Discipline Commission hearing begins at Yorkshire County Cricket Club over racism allegations, Rachel Reeves on Labours plan for an office for value for money, Greece train crash: At least 36 killed in head-on collision, Manchester Arena bombing: concerns over governments attitude towards Libyan militant group taken off the banned list, Covid most likely came from a Chinese lab leak, says Director of FBI. Olivia's head teacher at St Margaret Mary's Catholic Junior School in Huyton, Rebecca Wilkinson, described her as "a little ray of sunshine". Detective Superintendent Jon Bancroft, Head of Proactive Investigation said: This investigation illustrates the changes and complexities that the police and other agencies face with the growing direct involvement in children taking an active part in organised crime groups. Det Ch Supt Mark Kameen said the investigations into Olivia's death, as well as the recent shootings of 28-year-old Ashley Dale in Old Swan and 22-year-old Sam Rimmer in Dingle, were all "receiving first-class treatment and will continue to do so". - Graham Roy Ashe, 31, of Salerno Drive in Huyton: Nine years and nine months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Carol Whitby, 35, of Bankfield Road in Widnes: Three years ,four months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Darren O'Brien, 48, of Salerno Drive in Huyton: Three years and eight months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Ian Payne, 36, of Bankfield Road in Widnes: Three years, four months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Marney Styles, 29, of Salerno Drive, Huyton: Three years and six months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Steven James Dow, 45, of Alder Drive Widnes: 22 months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Blaine Megarry, 26, of Cassino Road, Huyton: Three years and six months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Gary Fagin, 28, of Ladstone Towers: Six years for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Michael McLelland, 29, produced from prison: Six years, 10 months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Ryan McLelland, 25, of Dewsbury Road, Anfield: Six years, four months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Sean McClune, 20, Cassino Road, Huyton: Four years and six months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Stevie Holloway, 26, of Cronton Road, Widnes: Seven years for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Stephen O'Connor, 48, of Wavertree Avenue, Widnes: 18 months for supplying heroin and crack cocaine, - Sarah Hall, 42, of Canterbury Road, Widnes: 18 months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - David Lomax, 46, of Wavell Avenue in Widnes: 27 months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - John Hargreaves, 40, produced from prison: Five years and six months for conspiracy to supply heroin crack cocaine and a further 10 years and six months for aggravated burglary, - Michael Price, 29, of Bowden Road, Garston: One year, eight months for violent disorder and a further five years and eight months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Jack Storey, 24, of Priorsfield Road, Woolton: One year eight for violent disorder and a further six years for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Dylan Swinnerton, 27, of June Street in Bootle: One year and eight months for violent disorder and a further eight years, 10 months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Jordan Swinnerton, 25, of June Street in Bootle: Nine years, one month for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Daniel Chadburn, 27, of no fixed address: Two years and six months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Mark Condliffe, 30, of Croxeth Hall Lane, Liverpool: five years for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Simon Jones, 23, of Martin Close, Rainhill: Three years and six months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Joshua Quinton, 26, Captains Lane, Litherland: Eight years, six months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine in Widnes and Exeter and a further one year and six months for burglary, - Joel Evans, 26, of Ruskin Street, Kirkdale: Eight years and six months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Kieran McArthur, 19, of Netley Street, Kirkdale: Four years and six months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine in Widnes and Exeter, - John Roberts, 62, of Bedford Road, Bootle: Two years and six months for conspiracy to supply heroin in Exeter, - Timothy Allen, 46, of Grizedale in Widnes: Five years and three months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine in Widnes and Exeter, - Leanne Beneke, 28, of Arley Drive, Widnes: Two years for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Richenda Kane, 44, of Gatley Drive, Maghull: Six years for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, - Julie Edge, 49, of Browning Avenue, Widnes: Two years and five months for being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, - Philip Harrison, 33, Hollybank Grange, Halewood: Seven years and nine months for possession with intent to supply and conspiracy to supply both heroin and crack cocaine, - Alex Hill, 34, of Harefield Road, Speke: Seven years for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine. A drug dealer in the English city of Liverpool posted a photo of his hand holding a small block of creamy Stilton on an encrypted messaging service. The drug dealers . Watch: CCTV shows moments before girl, 9, shot dead. Multiple arrests and drugs seizures were made during the investigation and in early February 2022. Dealer lines were making 2,000 a day in Exeter. In total, 35 drugs lines have been attributed to the group with over 3,000 messages advertising drugs for sale found. "This year will see a number of these people continuing to appear before the courts, and we welcome each and every one. Teenage boys as young as 13 are being lured with promises of money and gifts to work for drug dealers, police have warned. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Traditionally, drug dealers are seen . They used false passports to travel, booked flights they never caught, and paid for with cloned cards. That gave police the evidence they needed to . You were actually seeing people and culture change.". In January 2016 a proceeds of crime hearing at Preston Crown court against convicted drug dealer Stephen Clarke revealed more information about Merseyside's security industry. Stewart posted the photo on the encrypted messaging service EncroChat, which had been cracked by police. Members of the Fitzgibbon crime family, whose violent drug-dealing made them a number one target for the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (Soca), are sent down for a total of 32 years. The resident, who has lived in the area for 52 years, said the murder had been "absolutely devastating" for the close-knit community. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. On Friday, one Liverpool drug dealer was arrested after police found a photo he'd posted to EncroChat holding a block of cheese. Read about our approach to external linking. A mob of drug dealers slept soundly unaware their commercial scale operation had been cracked by Merseyside Police until cops burst through their doors and arrested them, it has been revealed. This was an unusual case involving some young people who took on leading roles in the criminality, instructing other youths to work on their behalf in the illegal drugs trade. He added: "The nature of this crime and what happened to Olivia and her family, who are completely innocent in all of this, has really reached out and touched people. Jean Martindale, whose grandson was in the same class as Olivia, said he was "very, very sad". "The series explores the conditions in 1980s Liverpool that helped trigger the growth of the illicit drugs trade which are relevant today.". "The poverty and lack of opportunity they faced as children were common with all of them and drove them to make the decisions they did. The confident . This arrest is one of many in an international operation targeting . The gunman ran away before Nee was driven away in a black Audi. Members of the Fitzgibbon crime family, whose violent drug-dealing made them a number one target for the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (Soca), are sent down for a total of 32 years. The other members the gang were handed down various sentences ranging from 16 months in one case to 10 years in another further roles in the operation. Prosecutor Ray Tully KC told the court that nine of the group were under the age of 18 when the conspiracy began and that in the case of some of the young offenders their actions went well beyond being merely street dealers to directing operations. Young people are offered cash, mobile phones, vapes and clothes to take . Todays jail terms will mark the end of era for a crime family which started out with car thefts, moved on to protection rackets, then finally to the rich pickings from drug trafficking. 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