'Sophisticated and organised' £250 million drug conspiracy sees seven men behind bars

Seven men were sentenced as part of Operation Falcon, a multi-million pound drug conspiracy. Credit: NWROCU

Seven men charged in connection to a “sophisticated and organised” operation to bring Class A drugs into the UK have been put behind bars for more than 50 years in total.

The importation of two tonnes of Class A drugs, with an estimated street value of more than £250 million pounds, was uncovered as part of an operation by North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU).

Sitting at Mold Crown Court, Judge Rhys Rowlands told the defendants the quantities of drugs involved in this operation were “vast”, believed to be “several hundred kilograms” and beyond what is normally dealt with at the court.

The drugs, distributed from a north Wales farm, would have “ended up sold on the streets causing problems for those addicted and society at large,” said Judge Rowlands.

Pretty much everyone involved in this case was making “very large amounts of money,” said Judge Rowlands and he added “the crimes were born out of funding a lifestyle or financial reward”.

Seven men and two women were facing sentencing today. They had all previously pleaded guilty to the charges against them.

The wider criminal network saw drugs transported from Holland, France and Belgium into the UK via the Eurotunnel.

An empty trailer was used to conceal the drugs and once in the UK, they were moved to a disused farm in Alltami near Mold in North Wales which was used as a distribution hub.

The drugs were repackaged and distributed to couriers across the country.

Tirglas farm in Flintshire is in close proximity to the A55 and Liverpool and Manchester.

Judge Rhys Rowlands told the court “At the heart of this case was a well organised and sophisticated operation to bring Class A drugs into this country.

"The operation involved those buying or selling drugs either on or near the A55.”

On 20 September 2023 officers from the NWROCU and North Wales Police raided the farm after the group had completed 9 drug runs to Europe. Credit: NWROCU

The crimes came to light after an investigation known as Operation Falcon involving police from a number of force areas. The Flintshire farm was raided in September last year.

Earlier this year, four others received a combined sentence for their role in the smuggling.

Today at Mold Crown Court lengthy sentences were handed down for those involved.

It was said in court that Mark Blower played a leading role in the operation. The London supplier was sentenced to 14 years and 3 months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Jon Fairclough was involved in transporting large quantities of drugs. The courier made six drugs runs to the farm although he never went on site and would meet elsewhere. He distributed the drugs across the Liverpool area and was jailed for 7 years.

Michael Day, another courier who visited the farm, was sentenced to 6 years.

50 year old David Hague was accused of transporting large quantities of Class A drugs to Yorkshire. He visited the farm eight times and was sentenced to 9 years and 4 months.

Jamie Menagh had a leading role in the operation, helping the group distribute drugs to other couriers who visited the farm. He was spotted on the farm's CCTV loading drugs into his van and was sent to prison for 7 years and 6 months.

In the dock today were sisters Alesha Lee and Erin Lee. They sat alongside Michael Hardie and all three pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. They had gone to the farm on the day of the raid and were spotted by police in the area. They made a 999 call where they claimed to have been kidnapped at knifepoint.

Hardie was accused of deliberately misleading the police and told he would have known how serious his behaviour was. He was sent to jail for 12 months.

Alesha and Erin Lee who cried throughout the sentencing, received 8 months suspended sentences for 18 months. The young mothers were inconsolable as they left the dock.

Charles Dilworth fled the scene and left the country during the warrant. He was arrested at Manchester airport on his return and received 7 years and 6 months for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

The group was responsible for smuggling Class A drugs with an estimated street value of more than £250 million pounds into the country. Credit: NWROCU

Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Whitehead, Head of the NWROCU said: "This operation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to dismantling organised crime networks and protecting our communities from the scourge of illegal drugs.

“This brings the total to over 100 years sentencing for Operation Falcon.

“We will continue to work tirelessly to bring those involved in drug trafficking to justice and ensure the safety of the communities in the North West.”

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To know...