Wigan’s cocaine kingpin Lee Standen jailed for 19 years
Lee Standen, the last lurking member of a notorious Wigan drug gang, has been slammed with a massive 19-year prison sentence for plotting to flood the streets with cocaine. This dramatic downfall follows a relentless probe by the Serious Organised Crime Group, who smashed a major criminal network shipping drugs and weapons across the North.
Operation Venetic cracks encrypted gang chat
The explosive investigation hinged on Operation Venetic, where the National Crime Agency (NCA) hacked into Encrochat – the encrypted messaging app dubbed the criminals’ ‘dark web Whatsapp’. This tech breakthrough gave cops a treasure trove of damning messages pinpointing every player in the UK-wide crime ring.
Gang of nine brought to justice
Standen and eight other crooks, including Dean Smallwood, Jamie Kenny, and Leon Kenny, copped last month after admitting conspiracy to supply class A drugs and money laundering. Evidence revealed the gang funnelled over £200,000 in dirty cash between March and June 2020, stoking more crime in their community.
Mass raid nets luxury goods and crypto booty
In March 2021, police launched a lightning 18-address swoop across Wigan, seizing mobiles, luxury watches, drugs, body armour, and cryptocurrency wallets. The unstoppable haul helped nail the gang dead to rights with airtight evidence.
Detective Chief Inspector Claire McGuire praised the Serious Organised Crime Group’s tenacity: “Their work hit this gang where it hurts and protected vulnerable people from harm. We’re grateful to the Crown Prosecution Service for helping build such a strong case.”
