Eighteen members of County Lines gang which peddled drugs across North Wales jailed for over 146 years

Eighteen people have today been sentenced to a total of over 146 years in prison between them for their part in a multi-million pound nationwide supply of cocaine and heroin.

The case centred on an Organised Crime Gang (OCG) running what was described in court as the “extremely busy and very profitable” Echo Line, supplying drugs into North Wales, Merseyside, the North West and as far afield as Scotland and Devon Cornwall

It was the biggest operation of its kind carried out by North Wales Police.

The sentences were handed down to the gang members at Mold Crown Court over the past three days.

Detective Inspector Lee Boycott of North Wale Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit said: “The level of sentencing reflects the seriousness of these crimes.

“This OCG had deadly intent to let no one stand in the way of their highly lucrative business which brought misery to thousands and violence to our streets.”

The sentencing this week has seen those at the very top of the Echo Line, through to those who were their couriers and street dealers, being brought to justice thanks to North Wales Police, working with colleagues from Merseyside and the Regional Organised Crime Unit .

During the investigation drugs with a street value of £2.1 million were recovered – over 5 kilograms of Heroin, Cocaine and Crack Cocaine; over 54 kilograms of Class A mixing agents; 17 kilograms of Amphetamine; over 3 kilograms of Cannabis; ¾ kilogram of Ketamine; and appoximately 43,000 Etizolam tablets.

DI Boycott said: “This is not where it ends. All those involved are starting their prison sentences, but we will continue to pursue the ring leaders to make sure that when they are eventually released they will not be able to benefit from their ill gotten gains.

“We will pursue Court Orders against them to place conditions on their lifestyles and we will also forensically examine their financial affairs so that any proceeds from their drug dealing – cash or assets – are recovered and paid to the public purse.”

List of names and sentences

Colin Jones – 21 years
Steven Dooley – 8 years
Shaun Dooley – 9 years
Jack Jones – 7 ½ years
Keith Furmedge – 10½ years
David Rawling – 15½ years
Barry Roche – 9 years
Patricia Massingham- 4 ½ years
Edward White -4 ½ years
Richard Anderson – 7 years
Anthony Fahy- 6 ½ years
Anthony Stagg – 8 years 3 months
Lisa Tinson – 6 ½ years
Toni Anne Louise Stagg – 4 years
Leon Langford – 6 years
James Michael Hughes sentenced to 4 ½ years
Peter Powell sentenced to 4 ½ years
Lee Murray aka Go – 10 years