Members of a notorious drug gang inflicted misery right across Merseyside with "no thought for the impact on others".
Thirty people have been jailed for a total of 151 years after distributing Class A drugs across Merseyside and the UK from January 2020 to February 2021.
In January this year 11 people were sentenced to a total of 56 years in prison after warrants were executed on Merseyside and in Eastbourne at the culmination of a 12 month investigation, named Operation Casino.
READ MORE: Fire engine responding to Storm Franklin emergency crashes with van
During the course of the investigation, another drugs ‘grafts’ was established and a simultaneous investigation (Op Casino 2) was launched, identifying areas in Morecambe, Plymouth and Torquay and Liverpool.
During the investigation, it was discovered deadly weapons like a sniper rifle and shotgun had been stolen during a previous burglary and was found after a raid at a Kirkby farmhouse, along with around 100 rounds of ammunition.
As part of the investigation into Op Casino 2 a further 19 people have been sentenced to a total of 95 years in prison bringing the overall total for the Op Casino operations to 151 years.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Drew said: “This was a significant and impactful investigation that has seen a total of 30 people sentenced to over 150 years behind bars.
“This OCG, who were based primarily in Norris Green, brought misery to the streets of Merseyside and beyond by dealing Class A drugs and arming themselves with potentially lethal weapons. Their only consideration was financial gain and with no thought for the impact on others."
The following got their comeuppance in court from OP Casino 2:
- Christopher Scully, 33, of Prestbury Road, Norris Green, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to nine years and four months
- Kane Bennett, 26, of Galemead, Norris Green, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and conspiring to possess firearms and ammunition without a certificate and was sentenced to 14 years and four months
- Jamie Mac Thompson, 30, of Berry Street, Liverpool, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and possession of ammunition without a certificate and was sentenced to nine years and six months
- Philip Ryder, 40, of Quernmore Road, Kirkby, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to eight years and seven months
- Ricky Dewsbury, 42, of Prestbury Road, Norris Green, admitted assisting an organised crime group and was sentenced to two years and three months
- Nicholas Begg, 22, of Alvanley Road, Kirkby admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to six years
- Anya Buckley, 20, of Newman Street, Kirkdale, admitted assisting an organised crime group and was sentenced to a two year community order, a £200 fine and 50 hours unpaid work
- Edward Begg, 21, of Alvanley Road, Kirkby, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to six years and five months
- Luke Belger, 20, of Minstead Avenue, Kirkby, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to four years and eight months
- Stephen Watson, 49, of Balmoral Road, Morecambe, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to four years
- Ema (corr) Rimmer, 45, of Balmoral Road, Morecambe, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to three years and seven months
- Gareth Rees, 45, of Thornton Road, Morecambe, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to six years and nine months
- Katrina Knight, 49, of Thornton Road, Morecambe, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to five years and eight months
- Dean Tarry, 54, of Westminster Road, Morecambe, admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine and was sentenced to six years and seven months
- Samantha Nield, 35, of Alexandra Road, Morecambe, admitted assisting an organised crime group and was sentenced to nine months in prison
- Scott McKenzie, 39, of Bartholomew Road, Morecambe, admitted assisting an organised crime group and was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, plus 35 rehabilitation days and 100 hours unpaid work
- Wayne Cohen, 39, of Barton Road, Farnworth, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to six years and seven months
- Shannon Farrow, 25, of Barton Road, Farnworth, admitted assisting an organised crime group and was sentenced to nine months suspended for 18 months
- Kirsty Gregory, 36, of Bartholomew Road, Morecambe, admitting assisting an organised crime group and was sentenced to nine months suspended for 18 months plus 15 rehabilitation days
In relation to Op Casino 1, a strike day took place on January 14 and a number of individuals were arrested, charged and later pleaded guilty to the following:
- Danny 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.
- Paul 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.
- Eric 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.
- Lyndsey 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.
- Holly 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.
- Liam 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.
- Paul 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.
- Kevin 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.
- In addition Paul McEwan, 30, of Dwerryhouse Lane, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A (heroin) and was sentenced at an earlier hearing to four years in prison.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Drew added: "We know the destruction that drug dealing brings to our communities. 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 indepth investigation, shows the level of our commitment and how seriously this type of activity is viewed by the courts. I am delighted that these sentences will see dangerous people removed from the streets of Merseyside for a considerable period of time and I hope that our communities feel reassured that we are continuing to take positive action and support us in our efforts.
“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.”
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
