A manhunt is underway after a leading figure from the Merseyside 'Joeys' gang that peddled heroin and crack cocaine went on the run.
William Vincent Dodd, 31, who was once banned from the whole of Cumbria - was a major player in the criminal enterprise, nicknamed the Joeys which peddled heroin and crack cocaine in Barrow.
A court previously heard Dodd, last living in Walton, was a leading light of the Joeys - an organisation that used dirty phones to advertise Class A substances to drugs users.
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The then 27-year-old recruited couriers to traffic drugs north from Merseyside and defied a court order banning his entry to Cumbria so he could oversee the illicit operation.
Dodd was initially sentenced in December 2016 for Perverting the Course of Justice in connection with giving false identity details in custody.
He was jailed for four years and 10 months after previously pleading guilty to the charge of Conspiracy to Supply Class A drugs. A separate sentence for breaching the travel ban ran alongside that term.
Manhunt
Today Merseyside Police turned to the public as part of a manhunt for Dodd who they want to put behind bars.
Dodd was released from prison on November 18, 2019 after serving part of his sentence but was recalled to prison on April 28 this year after allegedly breaching the conditions of his licence.
A Merseyside Police spokesperson said: "We are appealing for help in finding a Liverpool man who is wanted on recall to prison.
"William Vincent Dodd, 31, was released from prison on 18th November 2019 after serving part of a prison sentence for conspiracy to supply drugs.
"He was recalled to prison on 28th April this year after breaching the conditions of his licence.
"Dodd, who was last known to be living in the Walton area, is described as a white male, 6ft tall, of slim build with dark brown hair and blue eyes."
Anyone who has seen Dodd or knows of his whereabouts is asked to DM @MerPolCC or @CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.
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