Massive North England Drug Bust Sees Nine Arrested
In a huge police operation last November, over 160 officers from across Northern England teamed up to smash a notorious drug gang. The crackdown targeted ringleader Leighton Hackett and his crew, leading to nine arrests and 15 property raids.
Ringleader Caught with Cash, Phones and Weapons
Hackett, who admitted conspiring to supply heroin and cannabis, was busted at his County Durham home. Police seized 11 phones, £6,600 in cash, anti-surveillance gear, and a weapons cache including knuckledusters and hunting knives. His associates Sonny Thompson, Jake Lee, and John Nelson were also caught in the dragnet.
John Nelson later pleaded guilty after being found with over 5kg of heroin. Thompson and Lee initially denied charges but eventually admitted to conspiring to supply cannabis.
Major Drug Network Operating Between Liverpool and Wearside
Newcastle Crown Court heard the gang had been under months-long surveillance. They frequently travelled to Liverpool, meeting with associates Yoann Lou and Martin Pearson to coordinate drug shipments to Wearside. The operation recovered heroin worth a staggering £600,000, alongside £18,000 cash and six luxury cars.
Sentences Total Nearly 36 Years Behind Bars
On March 25, seven men were sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court, racking up a combined 35 years and 10 months in prison. Detective Inspector Brian Smith hailed the outcome as a crushing blow to the organised crime group terrorising communities from Sunderland to Merseyside.
“These shameless criminals lined their pockets selling highly addictive substances, causing misery to vulnerable people. We will keep disrupting organised crime under Operation Sentinel.” – Detective Inspector Brian Smith
The Court Verdicts
- Leighton Hackett, 37 (Hesledon, Hartlepool): 9 years for conspiracy to supply heroin and cannabis.
- John Nelson, 50 (Houghton Le Spring): 7 years 3 months for possession with intent to supply heroin.
- Sonny Thompson, 27 (Sunderland): 8 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis.
- Jake Lee, 22 (Sunderland): 8 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis.
Three Liverpool associates also sentenced:
- Yoann Lou, 39 (Liverpool): 6 years 4 months for conspiracy to supply heroin.
- Martin Pearson, 32 (Liverpool): 6 years 5 months for conspiracy to supply heroin.
- Gareth Lewis, 44 (Liverpool): 2 years 10 months for conspiracy to supply heroin.
