Four drug gang members receive extended sentences

Four members of an organised crime group jailed for their roles in a £250 million drugs conspiracy, have had their sentence increased after a NWROCU refferal to the Court of Appeal.

The defendants had their sentences quashed and an increased prison sentence imposed after it was referred under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme.

David Hague, 51, from Doncaster had his nine years and four months sentence increased to 14 years
Charlies Dilworth, 25, from Liverpool, had his seven year and six months sentence increased to nine years and nine months
Jamie Menagh, 31, from Liverpool , had his seven years and six months sentence increased to nine years and nine months
Jon Fairclough, 37, from Liverpool had his seven year sentence increased to nine years and four months 
Mark Blower, 33, from London appealed to have his sentence reduced, but this was dismissed and it remains at 14 years and three months.

The gang were involved in a sophisticated conspiracy which involved the importation of more than two tonnes of Class A drugs. 

Between 3 May and 21 September 2023, the gang transported drugs in an empty trailer from France, Belgium and Holland via the Eurotunnel. The drugs would eventually be driven to a farm in Deeside, North Wales, where they were removed from a concealment hidden behind the wooden panels of the trailer. The drugs were then sorted into boxes and bags for onward supply.

Members of the gang would meet thier customers at a nearby service station or on Pinfold Lane, then take their cars to the property, where they would fill them with drugs before giving their vehicles back to them, all to conceal the location of the farm. 

Detective Chief Inspector Zoe Russo from the NWROCU's Operation Team said: 

"The offenders in this case were part of a sophisticated criminal operation to import a substantial amount of cocaine into the UK.

"Our officers are dedicated to removing drugs and the criminals involved from the streets of the North West.

"Drugs are a blight on our local communities, often bringing violence and anti-social behaviour.

"Thankfully, the court recognised that these sentences were unduly lenient, and these offenders will now face longer prison terms for their crimes."