Five men, including one from Lancashire, have been jailed for a total of more than 55 years for their involvement in an £8m cocaine, cannabis and heroin conspiracy.
In September last year police carried out a series of warrants and made a number of arrests at properties in Melling, Anfield, Huyton and Fazakerley in Liverpool as part of the national Op Venetic which targets criminality and class A drug supply.
Between April 10 and June 13 2020 it is believed the men, one of which is from Coppull near Chorley, were part of an organised crime group which was involved in the distribution and collection of in excess of 170kg of class A drugs, namely cocaine, worth up to £6.4m.
Throughout the same period they were also involved in the distribution and collection of in excess of 290kg of cannabis, worth up to £1.6m, 11kg of heroin, worth around £176,000 and 14kg of class B drug ketamine, worth up to £104,000.
On September 11 2020, Ryan Mulcahy, Liam Hughes, Anthony Connolly and Brian Marshall were arrested.
When the police arrested Hughes, his home address was searched and a kilo of class A drugs, namely cocaine was seized, along with more than £220,000 in cash which was found in a cupboard above the oven.
Mulcahy, 29, of Maregreen Road, Everton, (pictured below) who used an encrypted device with the handle ‘Bassbelt’ pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class B drugs (cannabis) and conspiracy to possess/covert/acquire criminal property. He was sentenced to six years and six months.
Hughes, 24, of Robson Street, Everton, (pictured below) who used an encrypted device with the handle ‘Bleakmoth’ pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs – cocaine and heroin, conspiracy to supply class B drugs – cannabis and conspiracy to possess/covert/acquire criminal property. He was sentenced to 14 years and six months.
Connolly, 29, of Ellerman Road, Liverpool, (pictured below) who used an encrypted device with the handle ‘Ordinarydingo’, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs – cocaine and heroin, conspiracy to supply class B drugs – cannabis and conspiracy to possess/covert/acquire criminal property. He was sentenced to 14 years and six months.
Marshall, 46, of Robson Street, Everton, (pictured below) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs – cocaine, and was sentenced to 10 years.
Jack Pritchard, 29, of Mavis Drive, Coppull, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs – cocaine, and was sentenced to 10 years.
Detective Inspector Chris Lowe said: "These are significant sentences which reflect the extent of the conspiracy that these men were involved in.
"Our work remains ongoing on a daily basis to target the people responsible for serious and organised crime including drug supply.
"This gang thought they were untouchable but we have a proven track record in dealing with individuals who are responsible for the wholesale supply of illegal drugs both locally and across the country, as well as the use of violence to protect their business interests.
"We have been working closely with partner agencies and neighbouring police forces to target the people who are responsible for bringing misery to our streets.
"I can reassure the communities of Merseyside that the force will continue its fight against those involved in serious organised crime to make our communities safer and I would ask people to continue to be our eyes and ears in their local neighbourhoods and let us know who is supplying drugs so that we can take action."
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