Faces of organised crime group revealed after detectives 'blow the lid on network'

The gang – based out of St Helens and Widnes – pleaded guilty to the drugs offences earlier this year at Liverpool Crown Court following an investigation by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU).

Detectives began a surveillance operation in February 2020 and uncovered what proved to be "a large scale drug dealing business with connections around the UK".

Shortly afterwards, in April 2020, data which came to light as part of Operation Venetic – the international operation which targeted criminals who used a mobile encryption service (EncroChat) to organise their crimes – provided officers with the additional evidence.

They used this to "blow the lid on the crime network".

Christopher Dooley, David Hunter and Ricardo Hughes were identified as key players in the large-scale drugs conspiracy, supplying Class A – namely cocaine – and B - namely amphetamine - drugs across the UK.

Hunter was also conspiring with others to supply Ketamine, a class B controlled drug.

Between February 2020 and March 2021, the gang bought and sold more than 49kg of amphetamine drugs worth up to £490,000.

Six members of the organised crime group have now been sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court to a combined total of more than 30 years in prison.

Ricardo Hughes

Ricardo Hughes, 53, of Rock Lane, Widnes, who used an encrypted device, and organised the handover of drugs between third parties and the crime group was sentenced to 10 years and 6 months for conspiracy to supply Class A and B Drugs.

Christopher Dooley

Christopher Dooley, 35, of no fixed address, was a trusted lieutenant was sentenced to nine years for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.

David Hunter

David Hunter, 48, of Larch Close, Billinge who was thought to play a leading role in the crime group was sentenced to nine years and seven months for conspiracy to supply Class A and B Drugs.

Neal Rodgers

Neal Rodgers, 36, of Howard Street, Thatto Heath was sentenced to 12 months suspended for two years with 150 hours of unpaid community service for being concerned in the supply of Class B Drugs. His role was to courier drugs across the UK.

Stephen Piert

Stephen Piert, 27, of Harlow Close, Sutton Heath was also a trusted courier for the organised crime group. He was sentenced to two years seven month for conspiracy to supply Class B Drugs.

Paul Lever

Paul Lever, 33, of Hauxwell Grove, Haresfinch St Helens who managed the ‘safe house’ was sentenced to twelve months suspended for two years.

He was given 150 hours unpaid community service and 15 day rehabilitation order for conspiracy to supply Class B Drugs.

'No stone unturned in pursuit of those people who think they are above the law'

Detective Inspector Mark Whittaker said: "We have seen six more criminals put behind bars for a significant number of years, as part of the national Operation Venetic which saw law officials in Europe crack the ‘EncroChat’ service used by criminals involved in serious and organised crime to carry out their business.

“The guilty plea put forward by these criminals was as a result of the overwhelming evidence put before the court. Surveillance evidence in conjunction with Encrochat data allowed us to identify and prove the criminal activities of each of the defendants.

“Here at the NWROCU we’re committed to targeting the supply of drugs and will leave no stone unturned in pursuit of those people who think they are above the law.

“This crime group are now behind bars are thankfully are now unable to bring drugs and misery to families and communities across the North West and beyond.”