A jobless man on benefits lived a lavish lifestyle by running a lucrative drugs trade from a caravan behind his home.
Financial checks carried out on the bank accounts of Shane Preece, and his wife, Carla, found staggering amounts of money was being deposited.
Shane Preece even filmed himself supplying cannabis to customers, sometimes in the presence of children.
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CCTV seized from his property in Windsford, Cheshire, despite being installed only six days before, captured 204 people turning up at the caravan to buy class A and B drugs.
Preece, 43, was sentenced to six years and nine months at Chester Crown Court yesterday after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to drugs and money laundering offences.
His wife, 32, pleaded guilty to money laundering offences and was handed a 20-day rehabilitation order while Jamie Green, 28, was handed an 18 month suspended sentence for two counts of possession with intent to supply class B and possession of criminal property under Proceeds of Crime Act.
The court heard how Preece lived at a property in Dart Walk, which was the centre of the drug dealing operation.
He lived a lavish lifestyle, well beyond his means, despite being unemployed and claiming benefits throughout.
Green, of Dee Way, spent time living in a caravan at the back of the Dart Walk address, dealing drugs on behalf of Preece.
Following a tip off police executed a warrant at the house and caravan on October 22nd 2020.
They discovered a quantity of cannabis, bottles containing THC cannabis extract along with £7,700 in cash and mobile phones.
Machetes, an axe and baseball bats were also discovered at entry and exit points of the Dart Walk home.
The CCTV revealed the huge volume drug selling being run from the caravan.
The Preeces and Green were arrested and released under investigation pending further enquiries.
Further intelligence suggested that Green had continued to supply cannabis from a caravan elsewhere in Winsford.
A second search warrant was executed on the caravan in November 2020, following which a further quantity of cannabis and cash were recovered.
Green was once again arrested, and the local council removed the caravan.
In June 2021, officers conducted further search warrants at both the Dart Walk address and a second property belonging to Shane Preece in Crewe.
Under the Proceeds of Crime Act, officers seized several televisions, games consoles, numerous items of jewellery and designer clothing, and even the family sofa.
During the search, large bundles of cash stuffed in designer handbags and a hidden floor safe were uncovered.
All three were re-arrested and charged in connection with money laundering and drug offences.
Detective Constable Mark Sherratt, who led the investigation, said: “A lavish lifestyle funded by crime is definitely not worth going to prison for - crime does not pay.
“A dedicated team of officers at Northwich worked tirelessly to bring Shane Preece's illegal operation to an end and we know that the activity had caused much misery to local residents.
“It is thanks to the community who spoke out against the activity that we have been able to dismantle this criminal network and Preece is facing the consequences of his actions.
“We will not stop pursuing those who think they can get away with bringing illegal drugs into our communities.”
Superintendent Gary Smith, who was in charge of policing at Northwich LPU at the time, said: “This sentencing would not be possible if it was not for the public providing us with information about Shane Preece.
“Preece has brought misery to the town and residents had to put up with his completely unacceptable behaviour and illegal enterprise.
“I hope this sends a clear message to anyone involved in organised crime, Cheshire is a hostile environment for criminals. We will not stop pursuing those causing misery to our communities.
“If you have any concerns about criminal activity in your local area, please get in touch with Cheshire Police and we will do the rest.”
Anyone with information about illegal drug activity in their area can report it to Cheshire Police via https://www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us or report it to Crimestoppers via https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously
