Eight jailed for more than 69 years for large-scale drug conspiracy

Today (Friday 5 December) eight members of a Lancashire-based organised crime group, responsible for the large-scale supply of Class A and B drugs across the UK have been jailed for more than 69 years in total.

Operation Acropolis, a long-running and complex investigation, led by the North West Organised Crime Unit, dismantled the network headed by Jack Donegan, who directed the distribution of cocaine and ketamine through a trusted team of couriers and associates. The OCG’s reach extended throughout the North West of England and beyond, supplying customers as far afield as Derby, London, and Great Yarmouth.

The scale of the conspiracy was vast. A drug ledger recovered from Donegan’s phone revealed the supply of more than 800 kilograms of Class A drugs and profits exceeding £26 million. Donegan relied on a network of trusted couriers, including John Anderson, David Shelley, Nathan O’Hare, Kevin Pledger, Sean Windsor, and Ellis Nolan, who transported drugs nationwide. At the same time, Philip Moores acted as the group’s “minder,” storing and distributing drugs on Donegan’s instruction. Stephen Joel-Craven, identified as the OCG’s “money man,” was arrested with £5,000 in cash in his vehicle, and a subsequent search of his home uncovered over £300,000 in cash alongside a counting machine. The group’s reach extended further through customers and facilitators such as Mark Lloyd, Robert Howarth, Alan Maddocks, Kevin Gaskell, Daniel Stawarczyk, and Keith Rowlands, all of whom were convicted of purchasing and distributing significant quantities of cocaine.

In one recovered message, Donegan boasted to his partner Saskia Steward, he boasted about the group’s profits,

“Yeahh love he's sound as F*** this is going to be great for us! I mean that x

“It's lovely to be fair just going through all of this with him then hopefully chilling soon hahah looking average per month 15k.”

On 30th May 2024, Nathan O’Hare was arrested at Knutsford Services with 12kg of cocaine hidden in a blue box.

All defendants pled guilty. Eight were sentenced today, with the remaining eight due to be sentenced in February next year.

Jack Donegan, 29, of Briers Close, Warrington was jailed for 15 years (conspiracy to supply Class A and B)

Philip Moores, 56, of Fawcett, Skelmersdale was jailed for 12 years (conspiracy to supply Class A and B)

Stephen Joel-Craven, 42, of Kingsbury Court, Skelmersdale was jailed for Eight years and eight months  (participating in the activities of an organised crime group and possession of criminal property)

Kevin Gaskell, 43, of Castlehey, Skelmersdale was jailed for 10 years (conspiracy to supply Class A)

Keith Rowlands, 58, of Maes, Gwynedd, Caenarfon was jailed for nine years and six months (conspiracy to supply Class A)

Daniel Stawarcyzk. 36, from Freshpool Way, Manchester was jailed for six years (conspiracy to supply Class A)

Saskia Steward, 26, of Briers Close, Warrington was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment suspended for two years (participating in the activities of an organised crime group)

Robert Howarth, 45, of Tulip Avenue, Haydock was jailed for eight years (conspiracy to supply Class A).

Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Wild from the NWROCU’s Operations Team said:

“This was a meticulous and far-reaching investigation that has dismantled one of the most significant organised crime groups operating in the North West and beyond. The scale of this conspiracy was staggering - hundreds of kilograms of Class A drugs were moved across the country, generating tens of millions of pounds in criminal profit, while causing misery in the communities where these drugs were sold.

“The sentences handed down today reflect the seriousness of these crimes and send a clear message - organised crime groups who profit from the misery of others will be relentlessly pursued, dismantled, and brought before the courts.

“Our teams worked tirelessly to uncover the full extent of this network, from the couriers on the road to the money men counting cash, and the leaders orchestrating supply.”