Home / Crime and Justice / Lottery Winner Led £288M Drug Empire
Lottery Winner Led £288M Drug Empire
29 Jan
Summary
- Lottery winner led a £288 million drug empire from his home.
- He was convicted of drug production and supply conspiracy charges.
- The operation was described as the largest of its kind uncovered.
John Eric Spiby, who won a £2.4 million lottery jackpot in 2010, has been sentenced to 16 years and six months for leading a massive drug operation. The 80-year-old's home near Wigan served as the nerve center for an industrial-scale conspiracy to produce and supply class C drugs, estimated to have a street value of up to £288 million.
Spiby was found guilty of conspiracy to produce and supply class C drugs, along with firearms possession and perverting the course of justice. The court heard he provided premises and purchased machinery to facilitate the drug manufacturing. His son, John Colin Spiby, 37, and two others, Lee Derury and Callum Dorian, were also convicted and sentenced for their roles in the organised gang.
Judge Clarke KC described Spiby's operation as the largest production of drugs of its nature ever uncovered by police, noting Spiby's senior role in both name and function. The jury heard evidence of the gang's bragging about their wealth, with Spiby Jr. comparing himself to tech billionaires. Revolvers dating back to World War I were also found at Spiby's property.
