Drug gang’s sentences increased after Deeside farm used in £250m cocaine operation

 

Four members of an organised crime group involved in a £250 million drug smuggling conspiracy have had their sentences increased following a referral to the Court of Appeal by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU).

The gang used a farm in Deeside as a key hub to store and distribute drugs across the UK.

David Hague, 51, from Doncaster; Charlies Dilworth, 25, from Liverpool; Jamie Menagh, 31, from Liverpool; and Jon Fairclough, 37, from Liverpool all had their prison terms extended after their sentences were deemed “unduly lenient.”

The increases were imposed under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme, which allows certain cases to be reviewed.

David Hague’s original sentence of nine years and four months was increased to 14 years.

Charlies Dilworth and Jamie Menagh both saw their sentences raised from seven years and six months to nine years and nine months.

Jon Fairclough’s sentence was increased from seven years to nine years and four months.

A fifth member of the gang, Mark Blower, 33, from London, had his appeal to reduce his 14 years and three months sentence dismissed.

Sophisticated smuggling operation

The group ran a highly organised conspiracy involving the importation of over two tonnes of Class A drugs from Europe.

Between May and September 2023, the gang used an empty trailer to transport drugs from France, Belgium, and Holland via the Eurotunnel.

Once in the UK, the trailer was driven to a farm in Deeside, where the drugs were concealed behind wooden panels. The gang would remove the packages and sort them into boxes and bags for distribution.

They used a discreet method to deliver the drugs to their customers. Members of the gang would meet clients at a nearby service station or on Pinfold Lane, Alltami, collect their vehicles, and drive them to the farm to fill them with drugs. This tactic helped them avoid revealing the farm’s location.

NWROCU praises sentence increases

Detective Chief Inspector Zoe Russo from the NWROCU welcomed the revised sentences, saying:
“The offenders in this case were part of a sophisticated criminal operation to import a substantial amount of cocaine into the UK.

“Our officers are dedicated to removing drugs and the criminals involved from the streets of the North West. Drugs are a blight on our local communities, often bringing violence and anti-social behaviour.

“Thankfully, the court recognised that these sentences were unduly lenient, and these offenders will now face longer prison terms for their crimes.”