Members of a drugs gang who ‘brought misery’ to a small town in Lancashire in a covert drugs supply and money laundering operation have been sentenced to a total of almost 60 years in prison.
The gang, who operated in and around the Preston area, were rumbled following a complex investigation by Lancashire Constabulary. Officers established the gang used a series of burner phones to tempt people with the latest supply of Class A Drugs - namely heroin and crack cocaine.
Using the encrypted mobile phone network Encrochat, the gang would secretly communicate with each other and conduct their deals. The Encrochat servers were taken down in 2020 following a huge and long-running investigation led by the National Crime Agency.
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Lancashire Constabulary’s own Operation Whistler, focused on the supply of drugs and money laundering in the Preston area, was able to unearth the gang’s activity over a period of months. Through the operation, officers were able to compile enough evidence leading to the sentencing of eight individuals.
Officers discovered how the gang was spearheaded by Niall McFarlane, 29, Maxy House Road, Preston. Known within the organised crime group as ‘Rawbear’, kingpin McFarlane helped the gang to source and sell drugs.
McFarlane was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison after admitting to a Conspiracy to Supply Cocaine, Conspiracy to Supply Heroin and Money laundering. Evidence found by police officers included a large quantity of cash found stashed inside a child’s school and wraps containing crack cocaine and heroin.
Six other members of the OCG were also sentenced this week, while an eighth member - Ethan Knowles, 21, of Maple Grove, Preston – was given a suspended sentence of two years.
Pritesh Chohan, 29, Lyndon Close, Preston was sentenced to ten years in jail, while Ben Sanders, 31, of Lovat Road, Preston, received nine years and six months. Daniel Quinn, 30, of Holme Slack Lane, Preston was given nine years.
Steven Crook, 31, Westfield Drive, Preston was handed seven years and six months of jail time and Owen Collier, 23, of Woodacre Road, Preston received five years and four months. Daniel Hughes, 38, of Lovat Road, Preston was given four years.
Speaking after the sentencing, Det Con Richard Shires said: “This was a significant and complex investigation that has culminated in a number of people sentenced to nearly 60 years behind bars.
“This OCG, who were based mainly in Preston, brought misery to the streets of the city and beyond by dealing Class A drugs. Their sole motivation was financial gain and with no thought for the impact on others.
“We know the destruction that drug dealing brings to our communities. Drugs destroy lives and those involved in the supply of drugs have no regard for the lives they affect and the harm they can cause, and we are committed to pursuing those involved in serious and organised crime and bringing them to justice.
“These sentences, following a lengthy and complex investigation, show the level of our commitment and how seriously this type of activity is viewed by the courts. I am delighted that these sentences will see dangerous people removed from the streets of Lancashire for a considerable period.
“I hope that our communities feel reassured that we are taking positive action and will continue to support us in our efforts to take the fight to criminals and make our streets safer.”
The full list of sentences are as follows:
- Niall McFarlane, 29, Maxy House Road, Preston – 11 years three months
- Pritesh Chohan, 29, Lyndon Close, Preston – 10 years
- Ben Sanders, 31, Lovat Road, Preston – nine years six months
- Daniel Quinn, 30, Holme Slack Lane, Preston – nine years
- Steven Crook, 31, Westfield Drive, Preston – seven years six months
- Owen Collier, 23, Woodacre Road, Preston – five years four months
- Daniel Hughes, 38, Lovat Road, Preston – four years
- Ethan Knowles, 21, Maple Grove, Preston – two years suspended
