Eleven men and a woman involved in a £1.2 million drugs conspiracy have been jailed for more than 60 years following a joint operation between Tayside Police and their Merseyside counterparts.
The members of the drugs ring were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs mainly heroin between January 1 and November 25, 2009.
Those jailed included Dundee men Daryl Fitzsimmons (41), of Dens Road, who received four years, and Robert Soutar (24), of Kenmore Terrace, who received four and a half years.
The drugs would be transported by a team of couriers from Merseyside to Dundee for onward sale across Scotland as well as on the streets of Merseyside.
During the course of the nine-month Operation Malton, part of the wider-scale Operation Matrix, officers had a multi-kilo recovery of heroin and mixing agents believed to have an estimated street value of between £850,000 and £1,200,000, along with a quantity of cocaine, mixing agents, £6600 in cash, a heroin press and other drugs paraphernalia.
Several of the gang were arrested in Scotland in possession of significant quantities of heroin.
Three other people were classed as non-indicted others in support of the overall conspiracy charges and were sentenced at an earlier date.
They included Stephen Millar (56), of St Nicholas Place in Dundee, who was sentenced in Edinburgh on December 3 to five and a half years after being arrested in possession of heroin.
Detective Inspector Stuart Holmes, head of the Tayside Police drugs and surveillance branch, said, “I welcome the decision of the court today and hope this sends a clear message that people who think they can bring illegal drugs to Scotland will be hunted down.
“We will leave no stone unturned in our efforts to catch anyone involved in the drugs trade.Partnership”The partnership with officers of Merseyside Police Matrix team was pivotal to this success and undoubtedly it was key to dismantling this serious organised crime group and their network in order to protect Merseyside and Tayside communities from the harm caused by these illegal drugs.
“We will continue to seize every opportunity to enforce drugs trafficking legislation and will continue to work very closely with colleagues in the Matrix team where opportunities are presented to help rid the streets of the menace caused by these dealers who bring nothing but misery to communities.”
Chief Superintendent Tony Doherty, from the Merseyside Police Matrix team, said, “This was a well-organised criminal operation involving some major players and their couriers in the supply of a substantial quantity of class A drugs in the Merseyside and Tayside areas.
“Officers from both forces worked tirelessly to disrupt the activities of those involved in this ring, whose actions brought considerable misery to Merseyside and Tayside.
“We will not tolerate drug-related activities and will continue to relentlessly pursue those involved in drugs.”
He added, “I would like to take this opportunity to thank members of the public who tell us vital information about drug taking and supply in their areas so we can bring those involved to justice.
“We hope today’s sentencing is a clear warning to those either already in the drugs trade or thinking of becoming involved that you will be caught and you will face lengthy jail terms.”Steven Harrison, aged 21, of Chapel Road in Anfield, received eight years. Lee Holden (36), of Weaver Avenue in Kirkby, received seven years and four months. Joseph Mackereth (24), of Brookland Road East, Liverpool, received six years. Mark Constantine (32), of Wenning Avenue, Liverpool, received six years. Patrick Farley (24), of no fixed abode, received six years. He was also sentenced to one year and four months for possession of a shotgun to run consecutively. Terrence Fearns (32), of Lincoln Green, Maghull, received four years and eight months. Barry Devlin (32), of Bedford Road in Bootle, received four years. Paul Campbell (49), of Lacey Street in Widnes, received four years. Darren Spendlove (34), of Hale Road in Widnes received five years. Joanne Farrugia (27), of Whinhowe Road, Liverpool, received one year, suspended.