A newly jailed drug dealer bragged about being a gangster with guns as he threatened his ex girlfriend.
Daniel Hanley was sentenced to 13 years in prison after admitting being at the centre of a huge drugs supply operation.
He was the main target of a larger police swoop, Operation Casino, that also saw seven other people jailed on Monday.
READ MORE: Drug and guns gang smashed after major police operation
A judge handed the gang a total of 56 years in prison for their roles in a scheme that saw cocaine and heroin trafficked and sold both in Liverpool and on England’s south coast.
Police also recovered rifles and silencers when they raided properties linked with the gang and found messages between members discussing how to store guns.
The court heard Hanley was wary of detection and took steps to evade police - yet he later bragged over a recorded conversation to an ex partner about his criminal credentials.
Prosecutors said the 30 year old had been in a dispute with his ex and her new partner over access to his children.
This continued for some time until eventually, in October last year, police obtained a video message he sent to her.
It included Hanley referencing himself as a gangster during the argument and warning her that he had access to guns.
The message was just one piece of a wider web of evidence that brought his drugs operation down, with surveillance of his and his associates' movements taking place over a 12 month period.
Eventually police swooped on numerous members of the group in January last year.
Sentencing him, Judge David Potter, QC, said: “Danny Hanley, you are a self confessed gangster and drug dealer.
“You confessed this in a video between yourself and a former partner.”
He added that the actions of the gang contributed to wider drug misuse problems that blight Merseyside.
In addition to Hanley, other members also received lengthy sentences.
Hoban, 27, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs heroin and cocaine and Conspiracy to Possess firearms and was sentenced to 11 years.
McKevitt, 41, of Hazeldale Road, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs (heroin and cocaine) and conspiracy to possess firearms and was sentenced to five years eight months.
Stephens, 40, of Hazeldale Road, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to participating in the activities of an OCG and was sentenced to eight months suspended for two years and 125 hours unpaid work.
Irving, 29, of Katherine Walk, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to offering to supply Class A drugs (Cocaine) to another and was sentenced to 125 hours unpaid work.
Morris, 26, of Lindisfarne Drive, West Derby, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A controlled drugs (heroin and cocaine) and was sentenced to five years nine months.
Wright, 56, of Thursby Crescent, Southdene, Kirkby, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin and possession of a firearm and was sentenced to eight years two months.
Cooney, 47, of Muirhead Avenue, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to supply Class A controlled drugs (cocaine) and was sentenced to five years eight months.
Jodie Gill, 37, of Leslie Street, Eastbourne, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Cocaine and was sentenced to three years four months.
Mason Gill, 47, of Leslie Street, Eastbourne, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Cocaine and was sentenced to four years three months.
