A MAN and a woman from Bolton are among 19 people sentenced as part of an investigation into firearms and county lines drug dealing. 

A police operation identified three county line ‘grafts’ in Morecambe, Plymouth and Torquay and a Liverpool ‘graft’.

During the investigation a sniper rifle and shotgun, which had been stolen during burglaries, and around 100 rounds of ammunition was recovered from a farmhouse in Kirkby used by the Liverpool gang.

A quantity of class A drugs was also seized from individuals and properties in Liverpool and Morecambe.

As part of the investigation the following 19 people have been sentenced, at Liverpool Crown Court, to a total of 95 years in prison.

Among them are Wayne Cohen, aged 39, of Barton Road, Farnworth, who admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to six years and seven months. 

Shannon Farrow, aged 25, and also of Barton Road, Farnworth, admitted assisting an organised crime group and was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months.

The other defendants are:

  • Christopher Scully, 33, of Prestbury Road, Norris Green, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to nine years and four months
  • Kane Bennett, 26, of Galemead, Norris Green, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and conspiring to possess firearms and ammunition without a certificate and was sentenced to 14 years and four months
  • Jamie Mac Thompson, 30, of Berry Street, Liverpool, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and possession of ammunition without a certificate and was sentenced to nine years and six months
  • Philip Ryder, 40, of Quernmore Road, Kirkby, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to eight years and seven months
  • Ricky Dewsbury, 42, of Prestbury Road, Norris Green, admitted assisting an organised crime group and was sentenced to two years and three months
  • Nicholas Begg, 22, of Alvanley Road, Kirkby admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to six years
  • Anya Buckley, 20, of Newman Street, Kirkdale, admitted assisting an organised crime group and was sentenced to a two year community order, a £200 fine and 50 hours unpaid work  
  • Edward Begg, 21, of Alvanley Road, Kirkby, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to six years and five months
  • Luke Belger, 20, of Minstead Avenue, Kirkby, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to four years and eight months
  • Stephen Watson, 49, of Balmoral Road, Morecambe, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to four years 
  • Ema (corr) Rimmer, 45, of Balmoral Road, Morecambe, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to three years and seven months 
  • Gareth Rees, 45, of Thornton Road, Morecambe, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to six years and nine months
  • Katrina Knight, 49, of Thornton Road, Morecambe, admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin and was sentenced to five years and eight months
  • Dean Tarry, 54, of Westminster Road, Morecambe, admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine and was sentenced to six years and seven months
  • Samantha Nield, 35, of Alexandra Road, Morecambe, admitted assisting an organised crime group and was sentenced to nine months in prison
  • Scott McKenzie, 39, of Bartholomew Road, Morecambe, admitted assisting an organised crime group and was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for 18 months, plus 35 rehabilitation days and 100 hours unpaid work.
  • Kirsty Gregory, 36, of Bartholomew Road, Morecambe, admitting assisting an organised crime group and was sentenced to nine months suspended for 18 months plus 15 rehabilitation days.

 

Following the sentences Detective Chief Inspector Mark Drew said:  “This was a significant and impactful investigation.

“This organised crime group, who were based primarily in Norris Green, brought misery to the streets of Merseyside and beyond by dealing class A drugs and arming themselves with potentially lethal weapons.

"Their only consideration was financial gain and with no thought for the impact on  others.

“We know the destruction that drug dealing brings to our communities.

"Those involved in the supply of drugs and use of weapons have no regard for the lives they affect and the harm they can cause, and we are committed to pursuing those involved in serious and organised crime and bringing them to justice.

“Today’s sentences, following an indepth investigation, shows the level of our commitment and how seriously this type of activity is viewed by the courts.

"I am delighted that these sentences will see dangerous people removed from the streets of Merseyside for a considerable period of time and I hope that our communities feel reassured that we are continuing to take positive action and support us in our efforts.

“We are constantly working with other forces and partners to target offenders and take action, and information from our communities plays a vital part in this."