Six crooks have been slammed with almost 40 years in jail for flooding North Devon with millions worth of Class A drugs. Operation Haku, a major police crackdown, uncovered a crime syndicate stretching from North Devon to West Yorkshire and Merseyside.
How The Gang Operated
The gang ran a slick courier operation. Workers made 17 trips ferrying cocaine from Liverpool to Devon, raking in a street value of up to £4 million. Once in Devon, the drugs were handed off to street dealers in Barnstaple and surrounding towns.
Among those caught red-handed was courier Neil Warren, nabbed with 3kg of Class A drugs worth a whopping £240,000 as he returned from Liverpool.
The Gang Members
- Christopher Harper, 46, Goole, Yorkshire – Organiser.
- Stephen Reid, 52, Liverpool – Organiser.
- Paige Kightley, 31, Bideford – North Devon regional manager.
- Neil Warren, 49, Ilfracombe – Courier.
- Karl Aldridge, 38, Barnstaple – Street supplier.
- Ezra Walker, 40, Manchester – Supplier and courier.
Police Evidence and Arrests
Police released footage showing Warren’s arrest on the M5 and a hotel meeting where Harper and Warren exchanged a bag stuffed with Class A drugs. On 5 November 2024, Walker was pulled over on the A361 near Barnstaple with cocaine hidden in his car. This led to Aldridge’s arrest at his home, where officers found cocaine, dealer equipment, and cash.
Warren’s December 2024 Liverpool trip was closely monitored. Harper directed Warren throughout, texting “ring me asap, pal, it’s time to get busy.” Warren was caught carrying drugs worth £240,000 shortly after leaving Liverpool.
Harper was arrested in Peterborough in April 2025 with the gang’s drug arrangement phone. Reid was picked up in Liverpool with multiple devices for organising shipments. Kightley was also arrested at her Barnstaple home with drug paraphernalia.
Sentences Slapped Down
- Karl Aldridge – 5 years 4 months.
- Ezra Walker – 5 years 4 months.
- Neil Warren – 4 years.
- Christopher Harper – 10 years 5 months.
- Stephen Reid – 7 years 5 months.
- Paige Kightley – 5 years 7 months.
“This group exploited vulnerable people and brought fear and misery to our communities,” said Detective Inspector Daniel Bickford. “Today’s sentences send a clear message: organised crime will not be tolerated.”
North Devon police chief Graham Thomas added: “These sentences should deter anyone thinking of dealing drugs here. Our communities feel the impact of drug supply and crime, and we are determined to stamp it out.”
Speak Up – Help Police Tackle Drug Gangs
If you have info on drug activity, report it anonymously at Crimestoppers or call 0800 555 111. For non-emergencies, contact Devon & Cornwall Police on 101, or visit their website. In an emergency, dial 999.
