She was the so-called company secretary. Alaric Walmsley, defending, said his client was a working man who had shown he could be a useful member of society. These are the faces of 33 crooks jailed for their role in peddling misery across Widnes. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. They had a villa in Spain bought with state handouts, while the drugs cash poured in and business was good. Conspiracy to smuggle cannabis: 13 years. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin, MDMA and ketamine, and to transferring criminal property. [CDATA[ */ Three drug dealers have been locked up for their roles in a "sophisticated" organised crime operation in Aberdeen. She laundered the money and advised on how to avoid detection. The resident, who has lived in the area for 52 years, said the murder had been "absolutely devastating" for the close-knit community. Carl Stewart shared the M&S Stilton picture - but made the mistake of showing his fingers and palm. Three of the men, James Wright, Sean Burrell and Thomas OBrien, were high-ranking dealers who commanded influence over a a major drugs network that sourced and sold huge quantities of cocaine, heroin and cannabis. A man targeted by a gunman in the shooting that killed nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel is due to face further questioning about her murder. The conviction is the latest in the huge police operation that followed the cracking of the EncroChat system. 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. Michael Showers speaking on Liverpool Narcos. We abide by the Editors Code of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. "If you saw, heard, captured or know anything, tell us directly or anonymously and we will continue to act.". It is a shame you couldnt put your talent to different use.. . "These convictions reflect our commitment to dismantling organised crime groups who seek to profit from a trade that causes misery to communities. After being released, Showers started his criminal career as a bank robber. 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. Police seized 237,000 from his home in December 2020 but just months later a second search led the recovery of 15kgs of heroin. 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 BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. In 2018 he was sentenced to three years and nine months for burglary. But a listening device was planted inside, and for three years Soca investigators eavesdropped and recorded hundreds of hours of conversations. His messages clearly identified him as the user of the atom-hawk Encrochat handle, which showed his involvement in conspiring to supply significant amounts of cocaine, heroin and cannabis, causing misery to the people of Merseyside. Facebook Watch. "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. In a survey of 1,500 boys aged 13 to 19 commissioned by BTP, 19 percent said they or a friend had been offered work by a drug dealer. The conviction is the latest in the huge police operation that followed the cracking of the EncroChat system. However, the gang was brought down in a series of dawn raids after their secretive EncroChat messages were obtained by detectives. "It's simply to grow an understanding of how this criminal world operates.". It said that 15% of the teenagers had seen drugs being offered or sold on social media, and 18% at school. She said: "You can feel it, the atmosphere in the air, it's horrible. (function() { Cannabis dealer Jack Delaney was jailed after a judge described the 'skunk' form of the drug as 'a very dangerous chemical indeed'. 1) Go to our dedicated newsletter page at this link. The CPS works closely with our partners in the police to disrupt and dismantle criminal gangs who blight communities in the South West with their harmful and illegal trade in drugs. The Fitzgibbon clan dealt in violence, money and drugs for more than a decade, amassed a fortune, yet claimed thousands of pounds in benefits, writes Channel 4 News Home Affairs Correspondent Simon Israel. A total of 11 homes across Merseyside were stormed by police early on March 26 as the drug dealers, working across Liverpool and Wirral, slept, Judge Murray said he was satisfied the most significant player in the operation was James Wright (pictured). Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Sam Smoothy, said: Throughout the life of the investigation the prosecution team prioritised keeping people safe by taking positive action against those involved where appropriate, ensuring that all the available evidence was carefully reviewed and considered. Within weeks of his return from Spain, Pancake was squabbling with Nicky Ayers, 46, a convicted Liverpudlian drug dealer. Stewart, 39, of Gem Street, Liverpool, received a sentence of 13-and-a-half years at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday. There are others on what's on, politics, court news, Knowsley, Wirral, and arts & culture, as well as both Liverpool FC and Everton FC. Stewart posted the photo on the encrypted messaging service EncroChat, which had been cracked by police. They used false passports to travel, booked flights they never caught, and paid for with cloned cards. 7m down the drain but worse still, the notorious family was rumbled. They include James OReilly, aged 29, of Old Quarry Drive, Exminster, who was sentenced to 12 years. 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. The survey, carried out by OnePoll, found that 20% of the boys polled knew someone who sells or transports drugs. Email Address Last Name First Name Submit, Archives Archives Select Month March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 /* */, Birkenhead News is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (which regulates the UKs magazine and newspaper industry). A Liverpool drug dealer 'atom-hawk' has been jailed today, Friday 16 December, for his leading role in Encrochat drugs supply. We know the destruction that drugs cause and Merseyside Police remains relentless in our pursuit of these criminals and to bring down serious and organised criminal groups.. Yes, that's true. The dad-of-five used the EncroChat handle MrBigArms to discuss cash exchanges of up to 600,000 and was shown to source and sell multi-kilo amounts of Class A drugs - including to co-defendant Thomas OBrien. The drug dealers . Kristopher Mason, 44 years, of West Derby, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to 13 years and four months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine and heroin), and Class B drugs (cannabis). British Transport Police (BTP) said officers have seen messages sent out by drug dealers asking who wants to make 500 this weekend? as they draw young people into the gangs. 2023 BBC. Of the under-19s only 20% have faced criminal charges because many young people are recognised as victims of exploitation. Film shows how young people can be exploited by gangs for drug deals. "Where I expected unashamed bravado, I found an appreciation for their own errors of judgement and a deep understanding of the impact of their involvement in the trade. 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