SIX men from across Merseyside have been sentenced to a total of 116 years for delivering cocaine on a daily basis to locations across the UK, including Bolton.

The investigation, which was led by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU), supported by Merseyside Police, discovered that between December 2018 and June 2019, over 100 drugs runs were made across the UK by members of the Merseyside-based organised crime group (OCG). It’s estimated over 200kg of cocaine with a street value of over £8 million pounds was sold during the seven-month period.

On 25th June 2019, James Kelly head of the OCG, was arrested by officers at his home address in St Helens. Following a search of his property, officers found £20,000 cash by his front door and two encrypted phones Kelly used to communicate with his crime group, who were selling the drugs on his behalf.

Temporary Detective Superintendent Ian Hussey from the NWROCU Investigations Team said:

“This crime group were distributing multi-kilos of cocaine, on a daily basis, across the UK to Bradford, Bolton, Newcastle, London, Nottingham, Scunthorpe, Sheffield and Wrexham. James Kelly ran the drugs operation from his home address in St Helens, using members of his OCG to transport and sell the drugs on his behalf. He also enlisted his brother’s help to launder the money they made from the selling the drugs.

“This is an extremely dangerous set of individuals who have links to firearms, two of which were seized, along with ammunition, at an address in Old Swan, Liverpool, linked to Mark Dermott.

“I hope the significant prison sentences these individuals have received will serve to reassure communities in Merseyside, of how seriously we take drug dealing, and the use of firearms, which have no place on our streets in the North West.

“If anybody has any information about potential drug dealing or about the use of firearms, I urge you to please to contact police on 101 and tell us what you know. Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers and report what you know anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Those jailed at Liverpool Crown Court were: James Kelly, 36, who received 28-and-a-half years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Stephen Kelly, 42, who received 26 years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Paul Speedy, 57, who received 13 years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Marc Dermott, 32, who received 26 years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and possession of two Section 1 firearms and ammunition.

Dean Woods, 37, who received 15 years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Liam Hart, 36, who received seven-and-a-half years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.