Fourteen men appeared in Preston Crown Court last week where they were sentenced to a total of 58 years and six months for their involvement in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine in South Cumbria.
On Thursday (28th) and Friday (29th), 14 men from South Cumbria and Manchester appeared in front of Judge Gibson following a six month police investigation split into two parts named ‘Operation Sandbar’ and ‘Operation Sandbar 2’.
The investigation began in August 2010 when South Cumbria Drug Unit covertly monitored a gang of criminals who were travelling to and from Manchester on an almost daily basis to collect class A drugs to supply the illicit drug market in Barrow-in-Furness.
As a result of the six month-long investigation, the following sentences were handed out:
1. Darrel Johnson, 21, Westhide Walk, Moston, Manchester received 7 years
2. Anthony Filz, 35, Highworth Drive, Moston, Manchester received 5 years, 4 months
3. Blake Hayes, 20, Adrian Street, Moston , Manchester received 9 years
4. Kristian Atherton, 20, Hardy Drive, Manchester received 4 years, 8 months
5. Lee Cadwallader, 23, Bridgefield Street, Radcliff, Manchester received 3 years, 4 months
6. Darren Woods, 38, Burgin Walk, Manchester received 4 years
7. Paul Bloomfield, 36, Raglan Court, Barrow received 4 years, 8 months
8. Micheal Burns, 27, Ramsden Street, Barrow received 4 years, 6 months
9. Mark Harrop, 48, Foundry Street, Barrow received 2 years 8 months
10. Michael Duce, 33, Risedale Road, Barrow received 2 years, 3 months
11. Rhys Eaton, 20, no fixed abode received 2 years
12. Keran Shaw, 29, Mill Bank, Barrow received 4 years, 9 months
13. Robert Russell, 35, Gloucester Street, Barrow received 3 years 4 months
14. Alan McKenzie, 27, Marsh Street, Barrow received 12 months
The first arrests took place in September 2010 where Manchester men, Cadwallader and Atherton, were arrested in Barrow and were found in possession of a large quantity of heroin and crack cocaine and a large quantity of cash.
This kick-started Operation Sandbar and officers spent many weeks building up evidence to show how the conspiracy was operating and who the main players were.
As the months progressed, the arrests continued as police identified the new drugs dealers who were travelling into Cumbria to replace the last. Cumbrian officers also worked in collaboration with Greater Manchester Police to gather information and to help secure the arrests of Darrel Johnson and Blake Hays who are seen as the main organisers in the drugs ring.
As a result of the Operation, drugs with a total estimated street value of £12,000 were recovered along with £11,000 in cash.
Detective Sergeant Mike Brown led the Operation. He said: “This marks the end of a long investigation that has successfully disrupted a serious and organised crime network operating in South Cumbria.
“It is clear that each of these men were driven by financial gain and the sentences reflect the well organised conspiracy that they were all part of.
“Over six months, officers worked hard to identify the criminals that were coming into the county and our efforts stepped up after every arrest to identify the person who would be next to step into the dealer’s shoes.
“We worked alongside colleagues in Greater Manchester Police to build up a clear picture of the activity that was ongoing and took steps to cut the supply off at the source by targeting individuals who operated higher up in the chain.
“Bringing these criminals to justice today will have a positive effect on the communities in South Cumbria. It will reduce the availability of illegal drugs on our streets and I’d like to thank the public who played an important role by providing us with information which helped us establish the gang’s habits and movements.
“We will continue targeting the supply of drugs in Cumbria and we will ensure that criminals travelling from neighbouring counties are aware of the robust action we take and the consequences they face if they try and supply drugs in our county.”
Anyone with any information about drug dealing in your area can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
No comments:
Post a Comment