Nottinghamshire Drug Gangs Busted in Major Class A Crackdown
Over a dozen dealers linked to the notorious ‘Kinsella’ and ‘Eastwood’ crime gangs flooded Nottinghamshire with more than 10 kilos of Class A drugs in a massive seven-month haul.
Operation Spreads Cocaine and Heroin Across Nottinghamshire
From November 2019 to April 2020, the Kinsella group based in Nottingham bulk-bought cocaine from suppliers across England. They then passed it on to the Eastwood gang, who distributed the drugs in Eastwood and Broxtowe, also peddling huge amounts of heroin sourced nationwide.
Leaders Michael Kinsella and Jeffery Bradwell ran the Kinsella group, while the Eastwood crew was led by brothers Daniel, Lee, and Dominic Wright alongside Adam Rhodes. Both gangs coordinated using encrypted communications to stay one step ahead of police.
Police Make String of Busts Across England
- January 2020: Couriers Nigel Sisson and Dale Wright arrested with 4kg heroin en route to Nottingham from Cardiff.
- February 2020: £423,000 cash seized from car travelling from Liverpool to Nottingham driven by Ashley Hook.
- March 2020: Lewis Kelly caught cutting cocaine during raid; Atif Shariff arrested carrying 3kg cocaine.
- April 2020: Jamie Moore and Fred Carvalho arrested after Carvalho delivered 2.5kg cocaine to Nottingham and tried to smuggle £87,000 back to Manchester.
- May 2020: Courier Wayne Shipman caught with 1kg heroin driving from Liverpool to Nottingham, triggering entire operation’s collapse.
18 Thugs Jailed for Combined 166 Years
The police crackdown ended with 18 gang members charged and jailed for a total of 166 years and one month at Nottingham Crown Court on March 30, 2023. The sentences included:
- Michael Kinsella – 12 years 8 months
- Jeffery Bradwell – 11 years 4 months
- Daniel and Lee Wright – each 11 years 4 months
- Adam Rhodes – 10 years
- David Bowen (London supplier) – 10 years 8 months
- Fred Carvalho – 5 years 8 months
- Michael Sirrell (middleman) – 15 years
- Atif Shariff – 8 years 3 months
- Ashley Hook – 13 years
- Nigel Sisson – 7 years
- Dominic Wright – 12 years
- Lewis Kelly – 8 years 8 months
- Plus others sentenced between 3 and 7 years
Detective Inspector Warns of Violence and Promises More Action
“These two organised crime groups worked together to become a major distribution arm of a drug dealing enterprise across Nottinghamshire and beyond,” said Detective Inspector Mark Adas. “They moved huge quantities of dangerously potent Class A drugs and wads of cash, bringing violence and misery to local communities.
“They thought they were safe using encrypted platforms, but after EncroChat was taken down, their crimes were exposed. This is just the first step. Next, we’ll go after their ill-gotten gains under the Proceeds of Crime Act to ensure they don’t profit from their crimes.”
