A gang of 26 Class-A drug dealers were sentenced to a total of 139 years in jail after spreading drugs in Blackpool and nearby coastal towns.
The operation was conducted by Lancashire Police officers from the West Targeted Crime Unit and involved a nine-month investigation between October 2020 and June 2021.
The officers targeted dealers bringing in large quantities of Class-A drugs to the area which were then distributed at street level.
The operation, known as Operation Warrior, resulted in Daniel Myerscough, kingpin of a cocaine and heroin supply ring, being caught for arranging and purchasing bulk quantities of drugs.
He was sentenced to ten years in jail for his role. James Black, one of his lieutenants, was also arrested and sentenced to 13 years in jail for trafficking drugs while in prison.
A Wyre-based gang was also convicted for distributing cocaine. The gang members included Michael Welsh, Gary Johnson, Kristoffer Pilkington, and Christopher Dixon, who were sentenced to over 14 years in jail collectively.
A further 20 defendants were also caught in the crackdown and sentenced to around a hundred years in jail.
The police seized a package containing 995g of 81% purity cocaine from Debra Curran’s car, which was shared on social media. Curran was jailed for five years and five months.
Police also seized 3.5kg of heroin during the operation. A significant quantity of cash was also seized during the operation by Lancashire Police.
Detective Inspector Kathryn Riley, of Lancashire Police, said that the operation targeted the activity of offenders bringing large quantities of Class-A drugs into the Blackpool, Wyre, and Fylde areas.
She added that the operation led to a large number of people being convicted, and the length of the custodial sentences handed out by the courts confirms how seriously the supply of drugs is taken.
Andrew Snowden, Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire, said that the results of the operation would directly make Lancashire safer, which is what the public wants to see.
He added that they will continue to go after more and make sure those involved in organized crime feel the full force of the law and have their day in court.
»Multiple drug dealers jailed for spreading misery in Blackpool and coastal towns«