Gang jailed for more than 55 years for drugs conspiracy
A gang of seven men involved in a conspiracy to supply cocaine and amphetamine as well as producing and supplying cannabis have been jailed for a total of more than 55 years.
The men, who were all from Warrington, were arrested as part of Operation Havoc, a Cheshire Police investigation to crack down on an organised crime gang (OCG) led by Nathan Simpson.
The Simpson OCG used EncroChat phones to contact numerous “handles” and source multi-kilogram quantities of cocaine, cannabis and amphetamine.
They would then supply this wholesale or break it down and use other dealers to sell locally.
In the period of the investigation the gang turned over £328,230 with a similar amount owed to them, £239,100.
When they were finally arrested, drugs, cash and designer goods were found in their homes. Several knives were also discovered in one of the gang’s homes.
Messages were also found on the phones to suggest a feud between Simpson, Davies and Lally and convicted drug dealer Leon Cullen. Simpson and Davies had access to guns that the messages suggested they were prepared to use as part of their criminal activities. Lally was also encouraging Simpson to burn down properties linked to their rivals.
Today (18 July 2025) at Liverpool Crown Court, they were sentenced to more than 55 years in total.
The roles of the gang and their sentences:
Nathan Simpson, 33, of Birtles Road, Warrington had the Encrochat “handle” or name, of “Gardenfella”, He directed members of the OCG in the collection and supply of drugs and cash. He controlled the Group’s activities and “stash houses” – places where they stored drugs and equipment. He has been jailed for 16 years and 2 months.
Nathan Davies, 33, of Hume Street, Warrington, had the handle “Chillifella”. He had extremely close links with Nathan Simpson and was in essence, one of two lieutenants in the operation. He has been jailed for 9 years and 8 months.
John Lally, 33, of Fairclough Street, Warrington, was known as “Silverfella”, was the other of Mr Simpson’s lieutenants and was involved in directing and facilitating the movement of drugs and money. He has been jailed for 12 years and 4 months.
Daniel Roberts, 33, of Sandfield Crescent, who went under “Snowyspring”, took Cannabis in bulk and then supplied it on to others. He has been jailed for 3 years and 6 months.
Steven Dodd, 33, of Watkin Street, had the handle “Stickygreen” from March to May 2020 and had an operational role within the conspiracy, taking directions from Gardenfella. He has been jailed for 6 years and 9 months.
Connor Lawton, 30, (Greenidol) distributed cannabis on behalf of Simpson. He has been jailed for 3 years and 4 months.
Dominic Bourdet 40, of Thelwall Lane took over the handle “Stickygreen” from Dodd in May 2020 and worked to source drugs for Simpson. He has been jailed for 3 years 8 months.
Police raided the gang member’s homes in the early hours of 27 November 2024. A variety of high value, designer goods, drugs, phones, cash and drugs paraphernalia were recovered.
A motorbike that had been stolen a few weeks before in Liverpool city centre was found in the home of Lally. They were all arrested and questioned but they all refused to answer bar Roberts, who denied that they had planned to do anything to their rival’s gang.
Lawton was arrested at Manchester airport on 6 December 2024 but made no comment to questioning.
They were charged with a variety of offences including conspiracy to supply cocaine, cannabis and amphetamine. They pleaded guilty to most of the counts at a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court on 17 March 2025.
Davies and Simpson also pleaded guilty to a charge of possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence in relation to the feud with the rival gang.
The Crown Prosecution Service agreed to allow other counts to remain on file.
District Crown Prosecutor Chris Maloney, of CPS Mersey Cheshire’s Complex Casework Unit, said: “This has been a complicated case involving several defendants all involved in the supply of large amounts of illegal drugs.
“Bringing them to justice has involved close collaboration between Cheshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service. A vast number of messages found on the Encrochat phones used by the gang were examined to prove their involvement in this conspiracy and their individual roles.
“They, like many people involved in organised crime, thought that these phones afforded them secrecy and anonymity. They were wrong and they are now paying the price.”