The leader of an organised crime group travelled the country in a Citroen Berlingo van to supply drugs across the UK.
Ian Shepherd - who nicknamed himself 'El Shepo' - appeared before Manchester Crown Court on January 10 for his role in the supply of both cocaine and heroin across the UK.
The group, consisting of Shepherd, of Quarry Close, Kirkby; John Burkquest, Robert Curran and Paul Farrelly were being closely monitored by police from September 2018 to February 2019.
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During this time officers witnessed both Shepherd and Burkquest, often together, travelling to towns and cities across the UK to supply hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of cocaine and heroin.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed that as part of their disguise, Shepherd would use a Citroen Berlingo van to travel the country for the cash and drug exchanges, and the men would wear high-visibility vests as a cover to give the impression they were tradesmen.
In December 2018, GMP acquired the Citroen Berlingo after Shepherd put it up for sale, it was then officers identified the vehicle had been modified to incorporate a hide in the rear compartment - which was only accessible using an adapted wheel trim removal tool and was large enough to transport large quantities of drugs.
In February 2019, Burquest and Curran were stopped by officers in Stockton-on-Tees whilst they were travelling to supply nearly a kilogram of heroin to individuals in the North East.
Burquest subsequently fled the vehicle on foot, discarding heroin in a wooded area as he ran from officers. But he was swiftly detained and following an extensive search of the area officers recovered a black sports bag containing the heroin.
Both men were arrested and later released on bail.
As the investigation progressed, later that year in May officers executed a firearms warrant at Shepherd's mother-in-law - Marion Newall's - home address in Merseyside.
Following a search of the property officers located a void in a kitchen unit that was being used to store drugs and a silver handgun, as well as a number of mobile phones, and cash amounting to more than £2,000.
Analysis of mobile phones throughout the investigation showed Shepherd had also nicknamed himself 'El Shepo'.
Following DNA tests, both Shepherd's and Newall's DNA were recovered from the firearm.
The investigation culminated in a strike day in July 2019 which saw all four men arrested and subsequently charged.
Shepherd was also sentenced for his involvement in an investigation conducted by Merseyside Police.
Shepherd was sentenced to 25 years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to:
- Two counts of conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class A
- Conspiracy to possess a prohibited firearm
- Three counts of possessing a prohibited firearm
- Possessing a prohibited smooth-bore gun
- Possessing ammunition without a firearm certificate
- Possessing explosives
At previous sentencing dates - John Burquest, 37, of Broad Lane, Kirkby was jailed for 12 years, Robert Curran, 69, of Birkin Road, Liverpool received a two year suspended sentence, Paul Farrelly, 42, of Redbank Close, Liverpool, was jailed for two years last June after he pleaded guilty to money laundering, and Marrion Newall, 64, of Stourton Road, Liverpool received a three-month sentence suspended for 12 months.
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