Police have said there was "only one way" a pair of criminal brothers were headed after their reign came to an end yesterday.
One of the UK's most wanted men, Leon Cullen, was yesterday finally put behind bars for spearheading a major gun and cocaine network - one of the most notorious in the northwest in recent history.
Cullen fled abroad when he became aware police were about to strike and hid undetected for two years before he was finally captured in Dubai.
The 33-year-old, who operated alongside his brother Anthony - who was jailed for 26 years in 2019 - was responsible for the supply of very high-purity cocaine, about 50kg in total.
Today, Cheshire Police have a digital van going out across Warrington - showing the brothers - to send a clear message to those who choose to be involved in organised crime or those who are looking to be involved in an organised crime group.
Detective Chief Inspector Mike Evans, from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit and who takes over as Superintendent for Warrington local policing unit on Monday, said "young men will at one time have looked up to them but now we want them to look at them in a different light".
Leon Cullen was in control of a startling arsenal of guns including a functioning AK-series rifle, a pump-action shotgun, automatic pistols and revolvers as well as a silencer that was fitted to one of the automatic handguns.
Those guns were found inside a house in Warrington where a mum lived and her young child, with weapons discovered in an ottoman and inside a loft.
Vehicles were used to transport the drugs, including a car which had a secret hide, which was controlled by a device linked to the cigarette lighter.
Detective Chief Inspector Mike Evans said: "The Cullen brothers have been a driving force for organised crime in Warrington for many years.
"However there was only one way they were headed and that was always going to be behind bars serving significant sentences.
"People may think it’s a quick and easy way to earn money to lead a lavish lifestyle but that is far from the reality. The consequences of being involved in the supply of drugs and firearms are worlds away from that and instead you become embroiled in violence and debt and are constantly looking over your shoulder.
“Leon and Anthony will leave prison a lot older, they will miss out on being around their family, be under constant watch by the authorities when released, they will always be paying back what they profited from under their criminality and we’ll be relentless in searching for their hidden assets to recover them.
“Young men will at one time have looked up to them but now we want them to look at them in a different light and see the true reality of where organised crime takes you. Is it really worth it?”
