A significant gang in Merseyside became resourceful during the pandemic so they could continue to blight communities right across the UK.
Back in January, 11 people were sentenced to a total of 56 years in prison for their role in distributing class A drugs across Merseyside.
Today, a further 19 people were sentenced for a total of 95 years after a lengthy investigation found the criminals were distributing drugs across Merseyside, Morecombe, Plymouth and Torquay. This brings the overall total for the Op Casino operations to 151 years.
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Despite there being a national lockdown, these criminals, based in Norris Green, became extremely resourceful, making more than 100 deliveries to dealers and using vulnerable women to avoid detection from January 2020 to February 2021.
The group made small, but almost daily deliveries, estimated to be a total excess of £100,000 worth of class A drugs.
However, police dealt the notorious gang a severe blow in April 2020, when a raid on a Kirkby farm revealed a sawn-off shotgun, an air rifle and almost 100 rounds of ammunition.
Although there is no evidence to suggest these firearms had been discharged, police say they had the ability to cause devastation in communities.
As part of the investigation into Op Casino 2 the following 19 people were sentenced:
- Christopher Scully, 33, of Prestbury Road, Norris Green, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to nine years and four months
- Kane Bennett, 26, of Galemead, Norris Green, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and conspiring to possess firearms and ammunition without a certificate and was sentenced to 14 years and four months
- Jamie Mac Thompson, 30, of Berry Street, Liverpool, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and possession of ammunition without a certificate and was sentenced to nine years and six months
- Philip Ryder, 40, of Quernmore Road, Kirkby, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to eight years and seven months
- Ricky Dewsbury, 42, of Prestbury Road, Norris Green, admitted assisting an organised crime group and was sentenced to two years and three months
- Nicholas Begg, 22, of Alvanley Road, Kirkby admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to six years
- Anya Buckley, 20, of Newman Street, Kirkdale, admitted assisting an organised crime group and was sentenced to a two year community order, a £200 fine and 50 hours unpaid work
- Edward Begg, 21, of Alvanley Road, Kirkby, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to six years and five months
- Luke Belger, 20, of Minstead Avenue, Kirkby, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to four years and eight months
- Stephen Watson, 49, of Balmoral Road, Morecambe, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to four years
- Ema (corr) Rimmer, 45, of Balmoral Road, Morecambe, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to three years and seven months
- Gareth Rees, 45, of Thornton Road, Morecambe, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to six years and nine months
- Katrina Knight, 49, of Thornton Road, Morecambe, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to five years and eight months
- Dean Tarry, 54, of Westminster Road, Morecambe, admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine and was sentenced to six years and seven months
- Samantha Nield, 35, of Alexandra Road, Morecambe, admitted assisting an organised crime group and was sentenced to nine months in prison
- Scott McKenzie, 39, of Bartholomew Road, Morecambe, admitted assisting an organised crime group and was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, plus 35 rehabilitation days and 100 hours unpaid work
- Wayne Cohen, 39, of Barton Road, Farnworth, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to six years and seven months
- Shannon Farrow, 25, of Barton Road, Farnworth, admitted assisting an organised crime group and was sentenced to nine months suspended for 18 months
- Kirsty Gregory, 36, of Bartholomew Road, Morecambe, admitting assisting an organised crime group and was sentenced to nine months suspended for 18 months plus 15 rehabilitation days
After the sentencings of the final gang members on Monday, Detective Chief Superintendent Mark Kameen said: "They've definitely amended their tactics and it just shows they're astute to this.
"On a daily basis it was small amounts but those small amounts add up very quickly and are still capable of bringing misery and destruction of families and lives."
He went on to say: "They recognised the challenges faced with lockdown and the fact there was far less traffic on the road, making them easier to spot.
"We saw daily runs outside Merseyside and with smaller amounts. They used females which historically, we may be less inclined to stop and speak to."
The 30 people in total who were arrested will serve a total of 151 years behind bars, a "real win" said police.
The Detective chief superintendent added: "This is a fantastic result and shows our commitment to dealing with organised crime, drug dealing, county lines and criminal use of firearms.
"Also it shows criminals we will come after you. It doesn't matter whether you travel to the ends of the country, we will come after you and we will find you.
"I want communities to feel assured the police will work with them, I want them to have confidence in us and trust we are capable of dealing with organised crime.
"We will take drugs out of your communities, we will take firearms out and we will arrest and convict people making a blight on your lives."
The gang caused much misery across Merseyside and beyond, but all members pleaded guilty upon their appearances in court.
He said: "This investigation has been significant. You take 30 people out of any crime group for any force area is a real win.
"I do feel the communities in these areas where these people lived and operated will feel a difference in the morning when they wake up, knowing these individuals, some of whom caused countless problems, are now going to be removed from their area for many years to come."
During the investigation, officers were themselves faced with struggles such as surveillance whilst the roads were quiet, but police took "criminals on at their own game".
After a lengthy investigation, these criminals are now successfully behind bars, meaning lives have been saved.
The Detective Chief Superintendent added: "They didn't have these weapons for display, they have them to use. We've prevented a huge demand for police, partners, the NHS in terms of people injured, but most importantly, a huge amount of threat, harm and risk for our communities."
However, a lot of work is also going in to preventative measures to avoid other gangs from taking their place such as making communities a "nicer place to live" and educating children.
Mr Kameen said: "Anyone thinking or on the profanity of criminality, look at what's taking place to these men and women, some of whom are serving multiple years in prison, their lives are wrecked as as result of this.
"This type of criminality is not glamorous, it doesn't lead to great money and cars, if you become involved, we will find you and put you in prison."
In relation to Op Casino 1, a strike day took place on January 14 and a number of individuals were arrested, charged and later pleaded guilty to the following:
- Danny Hanley, 30, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs heroin and cocaine and conspiracy to possess firearms and was sentenced to 13 years.
Paul Hoban, 27, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs heroin and cocaine and Conspiracy to Possess firearms and was sentenced to 11 years.
- Eric McKevitt, 41, of Hazeldale Road, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs (heroin and cocaine) and conspiracy to possess firearms and was sentenced to five years eight months.
- Lyndsey Stephens, 40, of Hazeldale Road, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to participating in the activities of an OCG and was sentenced to eight months suspended for two years and 125 hours unpaid work.
- Holly Irving 29, of Katherine Walk, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to offering to supply Class A drugs (Cocaine) to another and was sentenced to 125 hours unpaid work.
- Liam Morris, 26, of Lindisfarne Drive, West Derby, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs (heroin and cocaine) and was sentenced to five years nine months.
- Paul Wright, 56, of Thursby Crescent, Southdene, Kirkby, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin and possession of a firearm and was sentenced to eight years two months.
- Kevin Cooney, 47, of Muirhead Avenue, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to supply Class A controlled drugs (cocaine) and was sentenced to five years eight months.
- Jodie Gill, 37, of Leslie Street, Eastbourne, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Cocaine and was sentenced to three years four months.
Mason Si Gill, 47, of Leslie Street, Eastbourne, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Cocaine and was sentenced to four years three months.
- In addition Paul McEwan, 30, of Dwerryhouse Lane, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A (heroin) and was sentenced at an earlier hearing to four years in prison.
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