A huge police operation saw a seven-strong drug gang dismantled once and for all.
Seven members of a drug ring were caught after a large-scale police operation seized large amounts of heroin, cash and six luxury cars. In November 2019 more than 160 officers from across the North of England joined forces as part of a coordinated crackdown aimed at dismantling the criminal organisation, ChronicleLive reports.
Arrests were made in strikes which saw 15 properties raided, including those belonging to ringleader Leighton Hackett and his associates Sonny Thompson, Jake Lee and John Nelson. When Hackett's home was searched, police uncovered 11 phones, £6,600 cash, anti-surveillance equipment and a stash of weapons including a knuckleduster and hunting knives.
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He pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply heroin and cannabis. Newcastle Crown Court heard how the group were monitored for several months while they were travelling to and from Liverpool where they met with associates Yoann Lou and Martin Pearson. Together they organised couriers to deliver the drugs to Wearside.
When the group was caught it was one of the largest operations the force had carried out to date - with officers targeting addresses in Sunderland, County Durham and Merseyside. Heroin worth £600,000 was recovered as well as £18,000 in cash and six luxury cars.
As seven men were jailed for a total of more than 33 years, Detective Inspector Brian Smith, from the Force’s Priority and organised Crime Team (POCT), praised the sentences, saying they marked the end of an organised criminal group who had brazenly broken the law. He said: “As a Force we have always made it clear that we will take firm action against anyone involved in organised crime and we will never apologise for that.
“These sentences mark the end of a long running investigation into Hackett, his associates and their despicable drugs enterprise which was causing misery for residents not only on Wearside, but on Merseyside and beyond. These shameless criminals will happily line their pockets selling highly addictive substances, regardless of how many serious problems this causes for the most vulnerable people in our society.
“On behalf of the Force, I would like to thank all the officers involved in this investigation, including those from the North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU) and Merseyside Police, who not only helped us carry out a successful day of action, but whose subsequent enquiries helped land all those involved before the courts, with each and every one of them now brought to justice.
“Be aware that under the banner of Operation Sentinel we will continue to disrupt organised criminality and pursue those who flout the law and make money from making our communities miserable.”
Yoann Lou, 39, of Wharncliffe Road, Old Swan, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and breaching a previous suspended sentence for possessing class B drugs with intent and was sentenced to 6 years and 5 months.
Martin Pearson, 32, of Aspes Road, West Derby, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and was sentenced to 6 years and 5 months.
Gareth Lewis, 44, of Minver Road, West Derby, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and possessing heroin with intent and was sentenced to 2 years and 10 months.
Leighton Hackett, 37, of Hesledon, near Hartlepool previously admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and cannabis and was sentenced to a total of nine years.
John Nelson, 50, of Morton Crescent Houghton-le-Spring pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and was sentenced to 7 years and 3 months in prison.
Sonny Thompson, 27, of Nora Street, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis and sentenced to 8 months in prison.
Jake Lee, 22, of Mayfield Avenue, Sunderland pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis and sentenced to 8 months in prison.
