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Drug Ring's £1M Monthly Cocaine Trade Smashed
31 Jan
Summary
- Nine individuals jailed for 74 years total for drug trafficking.
- Encrypted messages revealed sophisticated, high-level drug dealing.
- Over £1m worth of cocaine supplied monthly by the gang.
A professional drug gang, employing sophisticated tactics to supply cocaine valued at over £1 million per month, has received a combined sentence of 74 years. Their operation was exposed when law enforcement infiltrated the encrypted messaging network used by the conspirators.
Investigations revealed two distinct plots to supply class A drugs in the North East of England. Scott Fawcett was identified as a ringleader in one conspiracy, with Daniel Chambers acting as a lieutenant. Mark Baird and David Emmerson served as couriers and storemen, handling cash and adulterating drugs. This group was entrusted with an EncroChat device during their involvement.
A second, highly organized conspiracy involved Scott Fawcett, Daniel Chambers, Anthony Wilson, Michael Wakenshaw, Jesse McIver, and Alan McLaughlin. This group engaged in wholesale drug dealing, exchanging hundreds of thousands of pounds in cocaine and cash. Evidence indicated a well-established cocaine wholesale business operating before the network's infiltration.
