Drugs gang jailed for more than 57 years

A drugs gang responsible for selling multi-kilos of Class A and B drugs across North Wales have been jailed today for more than 57 years.

The seven men and two women were involved in a plot to supply Class A and B drugs from a wholesaler in Liverpool to a distributor in Oswestry for onward supply into Llangollen and surrounding areas. Over a 20-month period between 24 July 2021 and 29 March 2023, the group distributed and sold several Kilos of Class A and B drugs across North Wales and West Mercia.   

The NWROCU launched an investigation back in September 2022 following concerns raised by North Wales Police about an increase in violence in Llangollen, North Wales due to an influx of drugs being sold by vulnerable children and adults in the area.

As the investigation progressed, officers uncovered a multi-kilo drug dealing network running from Liverpool into North Wales.

But the OCG came crashing down on 23 March 2023 when an operations team from the NWROCU executed warrants at Eleven addresses across North Wales, West Mercia and Merseyside, supported by officers from the forces. Large quantities of Class A and B drugs, cash, and mobile phones were seized from the properties. Two further men were produced from prison establishments on the same day.

During the investigation officers uncovered intelligence that the OCG had acquired a firearm they had planned to use to cause harm to a rival OCG member over a drug spat. Alongside the drug conspiracy, four members of the OCG were also convicted for conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm to another person using a firearm at a trial at Mold Crown court in October of this year.
 

Nine people who all pled guilty were sentenced today and include:  

Adrian Julienne, 25, of Stockbridge Village, Liverpool was jailed for 12 years and 4 months for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs and conspiracy to cause GBH. Julienne ran the ‘AJ line’. The investigation showed that he sourced drugs from an OCG member and supplied to street dealers across North Wales, even continuing to run his drugs empire from prison.

Paul Taylor, 41, of Wilderley Crescent, Shrewsbury was jailed for six years and nine months for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs. Paul was a courier, making at least 10 trips for to a distributor in Oswestry. He was arrested as part of the conspiracy on 20 January 2022 when he was stopped on the M6 with 1kg of heroin.

Rebecca Brockhurst (also known as Rebecca Owens), 32, of Chaucer Road, Oswestry was jailed for five years and four months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Rebecca would regularly take her child on drugs courier runs from Oswestry to Liverpool. She was stopped returning from a drug run in December 2022 whereby she had 0.5kg of cocaine in her vehicle.

Rebecca Edwards, 31, of Coed Afon, Llangollen was jailed for seven years and eight months for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs and conspiracy to cause GBH. Edwards took over the ‘AJ Line’ form her boyfriend Adrienne Julienne when he was arrested in October 2022, orchestrating the supply of Class A and B drugs and moving drugs money.

Robert Evans, 48, of John Street, Llangollen was jailed for four years and five months for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs. Evans ‘cooked’ the cocaine he got from his supplier to make crack cocaine which he supplied to street dealers and users.

Marcus Finchett, 29, of Fairview, Rhostyllen, Wrexham was jailed for 8 years for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.

Josh Ford, 26, of Froncysyllte, Wrexham was jailed for six years and four months for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs and conspiracy to cause GBH. Ford also stepped up to run the ‘AJ’ line with Rebecca Edwards when Adrienne Julienne was arrested on October 2022, and also ran his own drugs enterprise.

Tyrone Hughes, 26, of Rhosymedre, Wrexham was jailed for two years for conspiracy to cause GBH.

Graham Thomas, 38, of College Road, Oswestry was jailed for four years for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs. Thomas was one of the OCG’s ‘willing assistant.’

 Three other men are still to be sentenced as part of the conspiracy.

 
Detective Inspector Adam Cooke from the NWROCU’s Operational Taskforce Team said:

“This sentencing is a great result, and it means a county drug line between Liverpool and North Wales has been closed.

“County lines drug dealing destroys lives and communities, and we remain relentless in our pursuit of these criminals and to bring down serious and organised criminal groups.

“The impact those jailed today have had on the rural town of Llangollen over the past 20 months has been detrimental. This popular tourist destination was flooded with Class A and B drugs and consequently the town has suffered from disorder, violence, and anti-social behaviour.

“I hope this result shows that the NWROCU, working with partners, will leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of these people who think they are above the law, and we will continue to target criminals like these by thoroughly examining any evidence we find.”

 Detective Chief Inspector Tim Evans from North Wales Police said:

“Drug trafficking is particularly harmful to rural communities and brings with it violence, anti-social behaviour and acquisitive crime.

“North Wales Police continuously works with our colleagues in the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit to bring those causing the most harm to our communities to justice.

“We are committed to tackling serious and organised crime and have recently invested in enhancing our capabilities.

“We rely on information coming from the public and would encourage anyone who has any information which may assist us to tackle serious and organised crime to contact the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111, which is completely anonymous”.