Over 60 years in prison for gang supplying drugs in North West

20/12/2011

An organised crime group responsible for the supply of class A, class B and class C drugs across the North West have been jailed for a total of 66 years and 7 months.

The twelve men were arrested in February 2011 following a series of raids in Lancashire, Merseyside, Cumbria and North Wales.  Joanne Cunliffe, Crown Advocate from the North West Complex Case Unit said after the sentencing that during the course of the police investigation a significant amount of drugs were seized from the defendants that would otherwise have been destined for the streets of North West towns.

She added:

"These criminals were involved in the supply of large amounts of drugs across the North West and, by putting them behind bars, the CPS and police have removed a significant source of drugs in the region.

"We worked closely with officers from the regional organised crime unit in bringing these men to justice. The weight and detail of the evidence persuaded all of them to plead guilty before a trial. In fact a number of defendants pleaded guilty at an early stage which is a testament to the strength of the case that we were able to build against them.

"The message is clear prosecutors and police in the North West are determined to pursue those supplying drugs to our local communities and to prosecute them through the courts."

Twelve men were jailed as part of the operation. 

Daniel Coady, 23, of no fixed address but from the Penwortham, Lancashire area, was given a two year prison sentence at Preston Crown Court today (Tuesday 20 December). He had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class B and class C drugs.

Liam Melton, 27, of New Oxford Street, Workington, Cumbria, was also jailed for two years at Preston Crown Court today (Tuesday 20 December) after earlier pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class C drugs.

Five men were given prison sentences at Preston Crown Court on Monday 5 December.

Gary Kays was jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

John Busuttil was given a six year and nine month custodial sentence. He had pleaded earlier guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and class C drugs.

Christopher Ormandy was given a six year prison sentence. He had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Garry Dover pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and class C drugs and was jailed for four years and eight months.

David Rodger pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs and was jailed for eight years. He was also given an indeterminate prison sentence for public protection, which is to run concurrently, for his part in attacking a man at his home address in New Longton. He had earlier pleaded guilty to wounding in relation to the offence in June 2010.

A further two men were sentenced as part of the investigation at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday 29 November:

Jonathan Blackburn was jailed for five years and eight months after earlier pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Gary Cluskey was given a seven years and four months custodial sentence. He had earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Three men were also jailed on Monday 28 November at Preston Crown Court:

Lee Ormandy was jailed for nine years and four months. He had earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and class C drugs.

Richard Painter pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs and was jailed for five years and ten months.

Michael McCue pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class C drugs and was given a one year prison sentence.

Ends