Drugs Gang Jailed for 33 Years

Date published: 22/05/2008

Five men from Lancashire and Liverpool have been sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison for their part in a major UK drugs network.

Daniel Cregg, 30 of Catlow Hall Street, Oswaldtwistle was jailed for nine years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and 12 months consecutive for a section 20 wounding.

Andrew Dixon, 24, of Roegreave Road, Oswaldtwistle was jailed for eight years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Lee Finglas, 26, of Sharples Street, Accrington was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Thomas Casey, 44, of Derby Lane, Old Swan, Liverpool was jailed for nine years after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply 10 kilos of heroin.

Colin Roberts, 47, of Brookland Road East, Old Swan, Liverpool was sentenced to two years after pleading guilty to an alternative charge of money laundering, to the value of £150, 000.

The sentencing comes after a joint operation between Lancashire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO).

Operation Medlar targeted the distribution of Class A drugs around the North West of England by an organised crime group based in Accrington.

Shortly after it started in August 2006 it became apparent that the operation crossed international boundaries due to links with people who at the time were subjects of a SOCA Operation, code named Capote.

It was agreed that the investigation would be run jointly which at the time made it one of the first joint operations of its kind since the formation of SOCA.

A total of 12 subjects were identified for the two operations. Following months of evidence gathering all suspects were arrested in February 2007 following a co-ordinated joint strike operation between SOCU and SOCA in England and the Belgian authorities.

All were later charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, namely cocaine and heroin.

Between July 2006 and February 2007, the defendants imported a total of 10kg of heroin and 30kg of cocaine with a street value in excess of £2 million from the continent.

Lancashire Constabulary’s Assistant Chief Constable Andy Cooke said: “I am delighted with today’s result which highlights first class co-operation between SOCU, SOCA and RCPO, and is a testament to all involved. This shows how Lancashire Constabulary is committed to making Lancashire a difficult place for organised criminals to operate and we will continue to work with other agencies to bring these people to justice.

“Today’s conclusion comes in Lancashire Constabulary’s ‘Protecting People’ week, which is aimed at disrupting serious and organised crime. This week’s activity and today’s sentences should send a stern message to those people who feel Lancashire is a safe place for them to engage in serious crime: we are not a soft touch, we know who you are and you will be caught and punished.”

SOCA Director General, Bill Hughes, said: “SOCA was pleased to be able to work alongside Lancashire Constabulary, through its work in this country and overseas, to dismantle this organised criminal enterprise, responsible for distributing drugs on the streets of Lancashire and Merseyside.

"Today’s successful conclusion, coming as it does during National Tackling Drugs Week, is a prime example of how SOCA and local police forces can work together to make the UK a hostile environment for criminals."