An organised crime group were busted at Heathrow Airport after attempting to import cannabis from the United States of America to Oldham.
The gang, consisting of five men and one woman, were involved in the importation of multiple packages of drugs that were intercepted by Border Force officials between June and November 2021 at Heathrow Airport and the International Logistics Centre in Langley, Berkshire.
Jason Warren, 35, had multiple packages sent to his property on Hillside Close in Oldham and was involved in arranging further packages to be sent to various other addresses.
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On November 24, 2022, officers raided Warren's home and arrested him. A search of his bedroom revealed a firearm located underneath the mattress at the bottom of his bed.
In the kitchen, a plastic bag in the freezer contained amphetamine along with drug paraphernalia. Analysis of Warren's mobile phone identified other members of the group.
There were conversations with a Michael Shawcross and Benjamin Harrison who were receiving payments for boxes of cannabis to be sent to them and then collected by Warren.
Corey Atkinson was serving a prison sentence in HMP Forest Bank when he was communicating with Warren via a mobile phone. Atkinson directed Warren to collect the boxes from the others and take them to Andrew Dicken who would then hand over money to Warren.
Warren was then directed to take the money to the mother of Atkinson, Melanie Denson. After analysis of Warren’s mobile phone Harrison, Shawcross, Denson and Dicken were also arrested and taken into custody.
Atkinson was interviewed at HMP Berwyn. After being charged, all six defendants pleaded guilty to various offences including the importation of cannabis, money laundering and possession of a firearm.
They appeared at Minshull street Crown Court today (Friday 13 January 2023) and were sentenced. Jason Warren, of no fixed address, was sentenced to six years for conspiracy to import cannabis with the intent to avoid a prohibition, conspiracy to acquire criminal property, possession with intent to supply amphetamine and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Atkinson, 27, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 27 months for conspiracy to import cannabis with the intent to avoid a prohibition and conspiracy to acquire criminal property.
Denson, 52, of Farm Road in Limeside, Oldham, was sentenced to nine months suspended for 18 months for conspiracy to import cannabis with the intent to avoid a prohibition and conspiracy to acquire criminal property.
Shawcross, 28, of Lees New Road, Oldham, was given a community sentence order for conspiracy to import cannabis with intent to avoid a prohibition and importing a class B drug with intent to evade a prohibition.
Harrison, 26, of Afghan Street, Oldham, was sentenced to seven months suspended for 18 months for conspiracy to import cannabis with the intent to avoid a prohibition and importing a class B drug with intent to evade a prohibition.
Dicken, 41, of Leyburn Avenue, Urmston, was sentenced to 21 months for conspiracy to import cannabis with the intent to avoid a prohibition.
Detective Constable Michelle Lomax, of Oldham’s Challenger organised crime team, said: "This should send a message to individuals who attempt to import illegal drugs into the country that packages, no matter how concealed you think they may be, can be checked and intercepted at the border.
"The investigation didn’t stop at one individual. After Warren’s arrest we were able to seize his mobile phone and identify those working alongside him who were also reaping the profits of the conspiracy.
"What was significant is how we discovered a firearm that had been concealed underneath a mattress and then taken it out of circulation, preventing it from potentially being used to cause serious harm or threats to others."
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