Major Class A Drug Ring Busted in Blackpool and Wyre
The West Targeted Crime Unit smashed a massive drug supply operation running from October 2020 to June 2021. Dealers were flooding Blackpool’s streets with huge amounts of Class A drugs, including cocaine, crack cocaine, and heroin.
Operation Warrior Nets Wyre Gang and Others
As part of the crackdown dubbed Operation Warrior, police arrested and convicted a Wyre-based gang made up of Michael Welsh, Gary Johnson, Kristoffer Pilkington, and Christopher Dixon for cocaine distribution.
Daniel Myerscough was identified as the ringleader behind another supply ring dealing cocaine, crack, and heroin. Assisted by several accomplices—including James Black, who ran drug deals from behind bars—Myerscough coordinated bulk purchases and controlled numerous drug “deal lines.”
James Black, despite serving a prison sentence for drug trafficking, managed to operate four different phone numbers, keeping up contact with drug dealers and running sales remotely. These deal lines advertised drugs to street-level buyers.
Police: “We Won’t Tolerate Drug Dealing”
Det Insp Kathryn Riley, Lancashire Police: “This was a complex investigation targeting large-scale importers of Class A drugs in Blackpool, Wyre, and Fylde. We hit offenders across all levels of organised crime. The heavy custodial sentences handed down show how seriously drug supply is taken. Drugs harm communities, and this operation sends a clear message—we won’t tolerate it.”
Andrew Snowden, Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner: “This sends a warning to criminals that police are coming for you. Operation Warrior is all about disrupting gangs that blight our communities. More arrests, asset seizures, and drugs taken off the streets means safer Lancashire. I urge the public to report suspicious activity. Together, we’ll keep delivering justice.”
Gotcha! Sentences Handed Out at Preston Crown Court
- Michael Welsh, 56, Thornton – 8 years 8 months
- Gary Johnson, 63, Fleetwood – 5 years 5 months
- Christopher Dixon, 31, Thornton – 2 years 5 months
- Kristoffer Pilkington, 41, Poulton – 2 years 9 months
- Daniel Myerscough, 34, Thornton – 10 years
- James Black, 37, Thornton – 13 years
- Alan Laughlin, 54, Blackpool – 7 years 6 months
- Kyle Sullivan, 36, Liverpool – 9 years
- Christopher Sharrock, 30, Wigan – 10 years
- Debra Curran, 56, Blackpool – 5 years 5 months
- Anthony Hayes, 35, Blackpool – 4 years 6 months
- Anthony Judge, 53, Blackpool – 2 years 2 months
- Liam Kelly, 52, Blackpool – 4 years 6 months
- Craig Wright, 39, no fixed address – 9 years
- Jake Belcher, 23, Blackpool – 3 years 6 months
- Tony Butcher, 34, Blackpool – 4 years 5 months
- Kyle McCabe, 27, Blackpool – 3 years 6 months
- Saul Harvey, 24, Manchester – 2 years 2 months
- Jack Houghton, 23, Blackpool – 3 years
- Jae Prince, 33, Blackpool – 2 years 8 months
- William Welsh, 25, Blackpool – 4 years 4 months
- Andrew Sweet, 47, Blackpool – 6 years
- Ryan Taylor, 22, Blackpool – 4 years 6 months
- John Kirkwood, 39, Blackpool – 5 years 5 months
- Daniel Holt, 24, Blackpool – 2 years
- Darren Thomas, 32, Blackpool – 3 years
The lengthy sentences highlight the courts’ tough stance on drug crimes disrupting Lancashire’s communities.
