Seven jailed as part of multi-million drug conspiracy

Today (Wednesday 20 November) at Mold Crown Court, seven men were sentenced as part of Operation Falcon, a comprehensive NWROCU investigation into a multimillion-pound drug conspiracy. This operation uncovered the importation of over two tonnes of Class A drugs into the UK.

Earlier this year, Guy Remington, Luke Hirst, Morgan Towner, and Thomas Smith received a combined 55-year sentence after NWROCU detectives successfully dismantled the gang. The group was responsible for smuggling Class A drugs with an estimated street value of more than £250 million pounds into the country.

The criminal network used the Eurotunnel to transport drugs from Holland, France, and Belgium, concealing them in an empty trailer. Once in the UK, the drugs were moved to a farm in Deeside, North Wales, where they were repackaged for distribution to couriers from across the country.

On 20 September 2023, after the group’s ninth and final drug run to Europe, officers from the NWROCU and North Wales Police arrested Remington while he was unloading his trailer at the farm.

During the warrant, Charles Dilworth, 25, of Churston Road, Liverpool, fled the scene and later left the country. He was arrested at Manchester airport upon his return and has been jailed for seven years and six months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Dilworth’s getaway car, a black Range Rover, was spotted by police in the area. Five minutes later, the occupants of the car made a false 999 call claiming they had been kidnapped at knifepoint on their way to a local bar. A quick search by officers revealed that the bar had been closed since 2016. They were later arrested and convicted for attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Michael Hardie, 32, of Makin Street, Liverpool was jailed for 12 months.

Erin Lee, 22, of Netherfield Road South, Liverpool and Alesha Lee, 24, of Smithdown Road, Liverpool both received an eight month sentence suspended for 18 months.

Also sentenced today were drugs suppliers and couriers from Liverpool, South Yorkshire, and London.

Jon Fairclough, 37, of William Jessop Way, Liverpool was jailed for seven years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. He was a courier who made six drugs runs to the farm, distributing the drugs across the Liverpool area.

David Hague, 50, of Owston Road, Doncaster was jailed for 9 years and four months after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. He was a drug supplier from South Yorkshire who visited the farm eight times.

Jamie Menagh, 30, of Waterloo Quay, Liverpool was jailed for seven years and six months after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. Menagh was spotted on the farm’s CCTV loading drugs into his van. He was a Class A drug supplier Liverpool who helped the organised crime group distribute drugs to other couriers who visited the farm.

Michael Day, 36, of Manchester Road, Liverpool was jailed for six years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Day was also a courier who visited the farm.

Mark Blower, 32, of Dartmouth Park Avenue, London was a London supplier who was controlling Morgan Towner, jailed back in March this year. Blower was jailed for 14 years and three months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Whitehead, Head of the NWROCU said:

"This operation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to dismantling organised crime networks and protecting our communities from the scourge of illegal drugs.

“This brings the total to over 100 years sentencing for Operation Falcon.

“We will continue to work tirelessly to bring those involved in drug trafficking to justice and ensure the safety of the communities in the North West.”