Eight members of an organised gang were jailed today after a police sting into drugs and firearms trafficking.
The group sold large amounts of cocaine and heroin throughout Merseyside and on the south coast of England but were caught as a result of police operation named ‘Casino’.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Danny Hanley, the police’s main target, organised the sale of drugs across Liverpool until his arrest last year.
READ MORE: Man's clever question to WhatsApp scammer that saved him £900
Prosecutors said Hanley relied on Eric McKevitt, Kevin Cooney, Paul Hoban and Liam Morris to assist him in obtaining and storing cocaine, heroin and cannabis.
Hoban’s father Paul Wright also assisted in moving drugs after being asked by his son, while Mason Si and Jodie Gill, who are from Liverpool originally, would pick up drugs from Hanley and sell them close to where they lived in Eastbourne in Sussex.
All eight were jailed for a total of 56 years after an investigation which went on for more than a 12 months.
As well as the drugs offences, Hanley, McKevitt, Hoban and Wright were all found guilty of firearms offences linked to a shotgun found by police in Wright’s house and a silencer found at McKevitt’s mother’s home address.
Judge David Potter, QC, sentencing, said today that the group’s actions had contributed to the blight caused by drug problems in many Liverpool communities.
Two women who played a far more limited role in the drug supply operation walked free from court.
Lyndsey Stevens, the ex partner of McKevitt, admitted driving him around while he was carrying out criminal activities, though she was not explicitly aware of this.
Francis Hertzog, defending Stevens, said she drove McKevitt, who was disqualified, because she was concerned he may try to drive himself instead.
Holly Irving, an ex partner of Morris, pleaded guilty to offering to supply cocaine to her friends on one occasion in February 2019 while still with him.
Speaking after the sentencings, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Drew said: “Those involved in the supply of drugs and use of weapons have no regard for the lives they affect and the harm they can cause, and we are committed to pursuing those involved in serious and organised crime and bringing them to justice.
“Today’s sentences, following an in depth investigation, shows the level of our commitment and how seriously this type of activity is viewed by the courts.
“Criminals use such weapons to cause fear, intimidation or harm in our communities and we are putting significant resources into tackling gun crime on a daily basis.
“We are constantly working with other forces and partners to target offenders and take action, and information from our communities plays a vital part in this. I would like to urge anyone with information on criminality in your area to please come forward so we can act upon it.”
Hanley, 30, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs heroin and cocaine and conspiracy to possess firearms and was sentenced to 13 years.
Hoban, 27, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs heroin and cocaine and Conspiracy to Possess firearms and was sentenced to 11 years.
McKevitt, 41, of Hazeldale Road, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs (heroin and cocaine) and conspiracy to possess firearms and was sentenced to five years eight months.
Stephens, 40, of Hazeldale Road, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to participating in the activities of an OCG and was sentenced to eight months suspended for two years and 125 hours unpaid work.
Irving, 29, of Katherine Walk, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to offering to supply Class A drugs (Cocaine) to another and was sentenced to 125 hours unpaid work.
Morris, 26, of Lindisfarne Drive, West Derby, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs (heroin and cocaine) and was sentenced to five years nine months.
Wright, 56, of Thursby Crescent, Southdene, Kirkby, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin and possession of a firearm and was sentenced to eight years two months.
Cooney, 47, of Muirhead Avenue, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to supply Class A controlled drugs (cocaine) and was sentenced to five years eight months.
Jodie Gill, 37, of Leslie Street, Eastbourne, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Cocaine and was sentenced to three years four months.
Mason Si Gill, 47, of Leslie Street, Eastbourne, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Cocaine and was sentenced to four years three months.
