Operation Thunder was an investigation into the supply of Cocaine, Heroin, and Cannabis in the Accrington area. Patrick Gavin was at the head of this OCG, which controlled a series of “deal lines” used to take orders from users. Those orders were then dispatched by Mr Gavin through a group of street dealers and runners, many of whom were youths, who had been recruited, groomed, and indoctrinated by Mr Gavin.
The street dealers and runners were so enamoured and proud of the criminal lifestyle they had been brought into by Mr Gavin that they dubbed themselves the “Conspiracy Squad”.
Three members of the group were jailed at Preston Crown Court this week. A number of others had previously been dealt with for their involvement (see full details below)
Det Sgt Stu Peall, of the East Vulnerability and Exploitation Team, said: “This operation was carried out on the back of concerns raised in the community and information about the possible exploitation of children and I welcome these sentences which reflect the gravity of the offending.
“We will continue to take the fight to criminals and to and I would encourage anybody with information about criminal activity in their area to contact police in the full knowledge that Lancashire Constabulary will take their concerns seriously and act with professionalism.
“Lancashire Constabulary takes county lines drug-dealing extremely seriously and where there is evidence of young people being exploited into committing criminal acts then we will look to prosecute the offenders and protect those being exploited.
“County Lines will not succeed in Lancashire and those responsible for exploiting our vulnerable children should be constantly looking over their shoulder because we will find you, no matter where you hide, and put you before the courts.”
Sentences
Patrick Gavin (head of the OCG) (25/2/93) Charter Street, Accrington. Jailed for 12 years and four months.
Aqueeb Ali (28/04/94) Rock Street, Haslingden. Jailed for eight years and one month.
Kieron Ashby (3/3/04) Wordsworth Road, Oswaldtwistle. Two years suspended for 18 months.
Cameron Newton (27/7/03) Fountains Way, Oswaldtwistle. Two years suspended for 18 months.
Ishan Nailen (20/3/94) ‘Iceman’ Park Road, Accrington. Jailed for two years
Brook Seery (11/01/02) Haslingden Old Road, Accrington. 12-month conditional discharge
Thomas Brett (16/05/04) Stevenson Street West, Accrington. A Community order.
Scott Melia (03/11/82) Tanpits Road, Accrington. Community Order (12 months)
Leroy Wright (19/12/00) Reeth Way, Accrington. Conspiracy to supply cannabis. Jailed for six months
Tyler Branch (26/7/95) Lion Street, Accrington. Concerned in the supply of cannabis. Community order
John Lomax (19/4/75) Victoria Street, Accrington. Conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine. Jailed for five years and nine months
A 17-year-old from Accrington. Conspiracy to supply heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis. Given a three-year youth rehabilitation order and six-month curfew
Philip Smalley (01/09/91) Monarch Street, Oswaldtwistle. Conspiracy to supply cannabis. Community order
Joseph Oakes (05/04/91) Union Road, Oswaldtwistle. Conspiracy to supply cannabis. 13 months imprisonment suspended for 12 months
Brandon Wilson (10/09/02) Higher Antley Street, Accrington Conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine. Two years imprisonment suspended for two years
Callum Harris (28/08/00) Hope Street, Great Harwood. Conspiracy to supply cannabis. 12 months imprisonment suspended for one year
Shane Murray (19/01/85) Parkinson Street, Haslingden. Conspiracy to supply cannabis. 40 months imprisonment.
Callum Dunne (02/06/1995) Stanhill Lane, Oswaldtwistle, and Dylan Ashby (6/5/99) Wordsworth Road, Oswaldtwistle, will be sentenced on June 6.
