Three men in a criminal network, including a man from Bromborough, were caught trying to smuggle more than a hundred million pounds worth of Class A drugs into the UK have been jailed today for a total of 45 years.
The investigation led by detectives from NWROCU, supported by UK Border Force, discovered that between May 2019 and October 2020, 150 drugs packages were smuggled into the country from Europe.
In total, the organised crime group imported between 984kg – 1304kg worth of class A drugs (cocaine and heroin) with an estimated street value of £138,605,760.
One of the gang members, Daniel Taylor, used the delivery company he was working for to bring the drugs into the country undetected, by taking the packages off the back of delivery vans without scanning them. He would then leave his work premises, drive around the corner where he would then hand the drugs over to Darren Roberts, who would then pass them over to Stephen Metcalf for selling.
But on 2nd October 2020, Taylor and Roberts were both arrested when police found Taylor handing over 14kg of heroin to Roberts from his vehicle near his place of work.
All three pleaded guilty and were sentenced at Mold Crown Court today.
Daniel Taylor, aged 40, of Glan-y-Don, Greenfield, Holywell was jailed for 15 years after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. Darren Roberts, aged 46, of Cadnant Drive, Bagillt was jailed for 15 years after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs
Stephen Metcalfe, aged 43, of Fairway North, Bromborough, was jailed for 15 years for pleading guilty to conspiracy to import cocaine and heroin.
Detective Inspector Mark Whittaker from the NWROCU said, “We welcome the sentencing today which has been achieved through the hard work and dedication of NWROCU detectives.
“Unfortunately for them, our officers, in conjunction with UK Border Force were one step ahead and were able to track their movements, monitor their activities and ultimately dismantle the organised crime group they were part of.
“Drug dealers cause misery to our communities and to the vulnerable people who they supply. We’re determined to tackle drugs supply and associated criminality in the North West, and with these men behind bars, our streets are now much safer.”
Image credit: Sora Shimazaki
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