Liverpool gang jailed for Devon drug supply plot

An image of the drugs recovered during the operation. Credit: Devon and Cornwall Police

Members of a Liverpool-based gang which was involved in a massive drug supply operation in the South West of England have been jailed.

The gang was led by Daniel Smith, 29, who was sentenced to more than 13 years.

Devon and Cornwall Police said lieutenants included Paul Fagan, who ran the operation with Smith in Torbay, with Thomas Kehoe and Kevin Deary controlling the Liverpool end.

Paul Fagan, Thomas Kehoe and Kevin Deary. Credit: Devon and Cornwall Police.

In total 19 people were sentenced for conspiracy to supply class-A controlled drugs.

Seventeen pleaded guilty with the remaining two found guilty following trial at Exeter Crown Court in March.

The force said brothers Neil and John Cupit played a major part in the conspiracy. John at the Liverpool end distributing the drugs for Kehoe and Neil organising the storing and distribution of the drugs within Devon.

Neil and John Cupit. Credit: Devon and Cornwall Police.
Ian Ross, Mark Worrall and Andrew Cleland. Credit: Devon and Cornwall Police.

Detectives found that Ian Ross played a major part in drug dealing within Torbay, and Mark Worrall was employed as a stash man, to store and hide the drugs on behalf of the gang after Andrew Cleland was arrested.

Throughout the operation, heroin and cocaine with an estimated street value of £1.25 million and cash in excess of £91,500 was intercepted.

The police operation included surveillance of the gang, linking a total of 48 courier runs from the Liverpool to Devon.

The 19 members of the gang are:

  • Daniel Smith, 29 from Paignton 13 years & 4 months in prison

  • Thomas Kehoe, 26 from Liverpool 12 years & 3 months in prison

  • Kevin Deary, 28 from Torquay 9 years & 3 months in prison

  • Paul Fagan, 32 from Paignton 10 years in prison

  • Andrew Cleland, 41 from Torquay 10 years in prison

  • Robert Murphy, 33 from Brixham 7 years & 6 months in prison

  • Ian Ross, 37 from Paignton 6 years & 8 months in prison

  • Mark Worrall, 51 from Brixham 2 years & 2 months in prison

  • Neil Cupit, 30 from Stokeinteignhead 8 years in prison

  • John Cupit, 32 from Liverpool 6 years in prison

  • Drug Couriers:

  • Jordan Caldwell, 27 from Liverpool 6 years in prison

  • Donald Macaskill, 56 from Liverpool 9 years & 4 months in prison

  • John Wilson, 49 from Liverpool 10 years in prison

  • Michael Griffith, 43 from Wolverhampton 6 years & 8 months in prison

  • John Fagan, 42 from Liverpool 4 years in prison

  • Paul Wade, 41from Liverpool 2 years & 8 months in prison

  • Lee Sumner, 37 from Liverpool 6 years & 8 months in prison

  • Ashley Tierney, 28 from Paignton 5 years & 10 months in prison

  • Jordan Taylor, 20 from Paignton 3 years & 4 months in prison