Northwich Drug Dealer Banged Up for 12 Years Over £2 Million Cocaine and Cannabis Haul
A 34-year-old man from Northwich has been locked up for a dozen years after being caught selling nearly £2million worth of Class A and B drugs.
Samuel Brough Caught in Massive Drug Bust
Samuel Brough, from Warrington Road, Dutton, Northwich, appeared at Chester Crown Court on 20 December. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis. His sentencing wraps up a major police crackdown on organised drug crime.
Operation Modifier Cracks Down on Drug Network
Brough was one of four men nabbed during Cheshire Police’s Operation Modifier, a probe linked to the international Operation Venetic. The other three—Nathan Bradley (32), Michael Murray (33), and Gary Stevens (39)—were sentenced earlier this year.
- Bradley got 8 years.
- Murray, who was working as a window fitter using a company van during lockdown to smuggle drugs, received 6 years.
- Stevens was handed 5 years and 3 months.
Undercover Phone Chats Lead to Massive Drug Profit Discovery
Investigators tracked Brough via encrypted EncroChat phones, kicking off the inquiry in March 2021. Detective Inspector Mike Higgins, Detective Sergeant Ryan Willis, and Detective Constable Lisa Bebbington uncovered Brough as the ringleader in a crime group based in Warrington but with nationwide reach.
Over just 11 weeks, Brough moved a staggering 42kg of cocaine and 49kg of cannabis, raking in about £1.9million in cash. Evidence also showed his drug dealing went back much further than the investigation period.
Brough and Bradley coordinated pickups and deliveries of drugs and bundles of cash, using Stevens and Murray as couriers.
Police Hit Back Against Drug Gangs to Protect Communities
DS Ryan Willis said: “This is part of a long-running operation to strike at the heart of gangs who peddle drugs on a large scale causing misery and pain in our communities for their monetary gain.
“Through our commitment and determination in fighting serious and organised crime, we were able to uncover the full extent of Brough’s criminality. It has been proved by a meticulous and thorough investigation that the total overseen by Brough came to almost £2million, which is a significant amount.
“We are working hard to pursue drug dealers and those instrumental in its distribution to protect the public from harm. I hope today’s conviction sends yet another message to the criminal fraternity that we will not stop making life difficult for those intent on illegal activity within Cheshire.”
