"So I firmly do believe that the information needed will get into the police's hands [so they can] take these people off the streets.". Showers was sent to juvenile prison aged 17 in 1963 for his part in a stabbing. Kingpin Francis Fearon, 30, and three leading drug dealers jailed for 11 years; . (function() { /* ]]> */, Birkenhead News is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (which regulates the UKs magazine and newspaper industry). Since the BTP county lines taskforce was set up in late 2019 officers have arrested 2,250 suspects linked to the gangs, 40% of whom were under the age of 19. "All of these men [Showers, Burton, Mee] served significant custodial sentences as a result of their actions and unlike what we see in movies, their stories demonstrate that if you deal drugs on a major scale, justice will prevail and you will get caught. Something went wrong, please try again later. Manslaughter: 4 years. Police encourage anyone with information about adults or young people involved in or at risk from suspected illegal activity and possible involvement in criminal groups, to report it here. A drug dealer has been jailed after police tracked him down using his fingerprints from a photo he took holding cheese. Financial investigators are currently tracking down through various foreign bank accounts the familys drug profits. 11K views, 21 likes, 1 loves, 17 comments, 10 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Liverpool Echo News: Michael Toohey was chased by a gang of drug dealers and beaten to death. As the police in the English region Merseyside announced, the 39-year-old Carl Stewart was sentenced last Friday to a prison term . . The sentences passed to the offenders are: - Four teenagers were given Youth Rehabilitation Orders, - Three teenagers were given Youth Referral Orders, - James OReilly, aged 29, of Old Quarry Drive, Exminster, was sentenced to 12 years, - Robert Hadwin, aged 31, of Ellery Drive, Liverpool, was sentenced to 6 years 9 months, - Liam Rhodes, aged 21, originally from the Tiverton area, was sentenced to 26 months, - Alfie Smith, aged 21, originally from the Exeter area was sentenced to 20 months. The investigation revealed the existence of a group made up of at least 16 defendants that was sourcing and supplying large quantities of drugs with evidence showing that they sourced their supplies from Merseyside and then sold them to drug users locally. In Exeter alone dealer lines were . A drug dealer was caught with more than 60,000 of crack cocaine and heroin when plain-clothed transport officers has been sentenced. Of the under-19s only 20% have faced criminal charges because many young people are recognised as victims of exploitation. "It's simply to grow an understanding of how this criminal world operates.". Pancake was questioned by Merseyside Police, but not charged. Video Unavailable. These are drug gangs run from urban bases that stretch out to customers in rural areas using young and vulnerable people as couriers. It was all part of Operation Harbinger - a complex police investigation carried out by the Serious and Organised Crime Team of Devon & Cornwall Police, into prolific street dealing of both crack cocaine and heroin. } Det Insp Lee Wilkinson, of Merseyside Police, said he went by the name Toffeeforce and was involved in supplying large amounts of drugs. You were actually seeing people and culture change.". 2023 BBC. "If you saw, heard, captured or know anything, tell us directly or anonymously and we will continue to act.". Mrs Wilkinson said Olivia was a "lively little soul [who was] very, very popular with all her peers" and the school was in "shock and disbelief". Paul Ainsworth, 39, was addicted to class A drugs when he was approached and "put under pressure" by the Liverpool based dealers in June 2020. The intended victim of the shooting has been named as 35-year-old Joseph Nee, a convicted drug dealer. Told as a three-part series, Liverpool Narcos shows not only how the drugs trade soon became a multi-billion pound business but also the devastating toll it had on many peoples lives. Anyone with information on drug dealing is asked to contact @MerPolCC, or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111. The dealer, of Gem Street, Liverpool, was also sentenced for transferring criminal property. The intended victim of the shooting has been named as 35-year-old Joseph Nee, a convicted drug dealer. We also meet local people who have an almost sentimental recollection of using ecstasy while partying at the Quadrant Park club in Bootle. Play Video. Read about our approach to external linking. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Olivia was fatally shot and Ms Korbel was shot in the wrist as she tried to shut the door. A man targeted by a gunman in the shooting that killed nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel is due to face further questioning about her murder. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. Their operation involved safehouses, cannabis farms and negotiations held during clandestine hotel meetings. dropdown.onchange = onSelectChange; A Liverpool drug dealer 'atom-hawk' has been jailed today, Friday 16 th December, for his leading role in Encrochat drugs supply. A mob of drug dealers slept soundly unaware their commercial scale operation had been cracked by Merseyside Police until cops burst through their doors and arrested them, it has been revealed. He was jailed for 13 years and six months after admitting conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine, ketamine and MDMA at Liverpool Crown Court. He may have thought he was safe because he was using an EncroChat phone, a highly encrypted device used by criminals. Police said officers had been given the same name by two different sources while hunting the gunman. Judge Anil Murray described the network as a large, professional, sophisticated, well-planned, well-organised and successful operation. Police said afterwards it was an 'unusual case' due to the number of young people who took on leading roles in the crimes. READ MORE: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/city-centre-takeaway-serving-burgers-17584391Video from @LivEchoNews. He added the EncroChat communications network, thought to have been impenetrable but which was hacked in an international operation last year, was used as a powerful tool by those involved in serious organised criminality. Already Liverpool dealers are understood to have shot at least one senior Colombian cocaine emissary in Amsterdam. "Ultimately, we see the direct link between drug use and the crime, violence and misery it funds and precipitates.". It is alleged that OBrien approached 21-year-old Josh Hanson from Ki The survey, carried out by OnePoll, found that 20% of the boys polled knew someone who sells or transports drugs. The gang was involved in widescale, sustained, serious drug dealing. Carl Stewart, 39, was identified through his fingerprints after police analysed the image he posted in an online chat. Pic: Merseyside Police, Carl Stewart pleaded guilty to drug offences: Pic: Merseyside Police. He added: "The nature of this crime and what happened to Olivia and her family, who are completely innocent in all of this, has really reached out and touched people. Merseyside Police has not publicly identified Nee, but said a man had been detained and would be interviewed. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Read the details. Kristopher Mason, 44 years, of West Derby, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to 13 years and four months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine and heroin), and Class B drugs (cannabis). MIchael Showers, 'Juicebomb' John Burton and Stephen Mee were major players in the underworld, Get the latest crime reports and stories from Liverpool Echo straight to your inbox, "The poverty and lack of opportunity they faced as children were common with all of them and drove them to make the decisions they did.". Prosecutor Ray Tully KC told the court that nine of the group were under the age of 18 when the conspiracy began and that in the case of some of the young offenders their actions went well beyond being merely street dealers to directing operations. 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The conviction is the latest in the huge police operation that followed the cracking of the EncroChat system. You can also send story ideas tonews@birkenhead.news, Subscribe to our FREE newsletter for the latest news, sport, and What's On? DI Smoothy added: This case sends a clear message to the public that where the evidence supports a prosecution, we will not tolerate criminality of this nature and public safety will always come first. It said that 15% of the teenagers had seen drugs being offered or sold on social media, and 18% at school. The specialist role of the Crown Prosecutor in this has been essential as without their guidance and input, as well of the presentation of the case by Mr Tully KC, we would not have effectively dismantled this OCG and prevented further victims being drawn into their web. To be more precise: Because of a photo in which the wanted person is holding a piece of the Mature Blue Stilton variety into the camera. Carl Stewart, a drug dealer from Liverpool was caught when police analysed a picture of his fingerprints contained in a photograph. Getting involved in the supply of drugs is serious and there are serious consequences when you are caught. In the end, a carboot load of heroin was found in Istanbul, about to leave for the UK. "Many of those who feature in the series deeply regret their involvement in the trade and the impact it had on their own lives as well as their families and on users. Email:. It was discovered that when drugs sales were ongoing in Exeter, dealer lines were making around 2,000 a day. The survey, carried out by OnePoll, found that 20% of the boys polled knew someone who sells or transports drugs. Nee was shot in the upper body. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Next week, the . 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