More Gang Members Jailed in Massive Drug Bust
Today (Wednesday, April 12), more gang members were locked up as the crackdown on serious organised crime rumbled on.
Inside the Gang’s Dirty Drug Den
Exclusive footage revealed the ruthless gang suiting up in forensic gear to weigh and cut over 200 kilos of amphetamine with mixing agents. The drugs were then shipped across the North and South of England.
Cameras also caught huge bundles of cannabis dumped in black bin liners at their HQ in Hollins Grove Mill, Darwen. The stash was packaged and pushed through a network of street dealers.
Long Sentences for Drug Kingpins and Crew
The probe, part of Operation Warrior, began in 2021 after encrypted mobiles were linked to gang leader Zac Deaffern and his sidekick John Rowe. Both were jailed last month, sharing more than 30 years behind bars.
Today’s sentencing hit five more gang members:
- Ashley Morris, 31, of Middleton – 2 years 6 months for conspiring to supply amphetamine and cannabis.
- John Cropper, 45, Manchester – 2 years 8 months for conspiring to supply amphetamine.
- Anthony Richardson, 38, Bolton – 3 years 4 months for conspiring to supply amphetamine.
- Nicholas Mullin, 33, no fixed address – 4 years 4 months for conspiring to supply amphetamine and cannabis.
- Taylor Walker, 29, Blackpool – 2 years 6 months for conspiring to supply cannabis.
Police and Officials Praise the Breakthrough
Det Supt Nick Connaughton, East Division, said: “This criminal gang imported and distributed drugs on a huge scale, making massive profits for themselves by bringing misery to countless people.
“I hope that our work and these hefty sentences send a clear message: we will not tolerate criminality in our communities. We will keep taking the fight to gangs like this.”
Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden added: “This is another brilliant example of officers disrupting and dismantling organised crime gangs.
“Operation Warrior is all about hitting criminals who blight our communities. More arrests, more asset seizures, more drugs off the streets – it’s what the public wants.”
“I urge anyone with info to come forward. We’ll keep ensuring those behind organised crime face the full force of the law in court.”
Operation Warrior Continues
#OpWarrior remains Lancashire’s frontline attack on serious organised crime. It’s a key part of Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden’s Fighting Crime Plan, focused on wrecking gangs and making communities safer.
