Drugs gang jailed over £3m cocaine haul
Cory Bruen, Patrick Oliffe and Zaac Farrell have been jailed for their involvement in the operation
- Published
Eight men and one woman have been sentenced for their role in a multimillion-pound drugs operation.
The gang were taking part in a conspiracy to traffic cocaine with an estimated street value of between £2.4m and £3m from Liverpool to Skegness, Lincolnshire.
The ninth and final person involved in the operation, Charlie Pamphilon, 26, of Southwark Close, Stevenage, was given a two-year sentence, suspended for 18 months, at Lincoln Crown Court on Thursday.
Det Sgt Adam Petty, of Lincolnshire Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: "The communities in Skegness should see a big difference now these people are off the streets."
Police seized 429g (15oz) of cocaine during Connor Fisher's arrest
The operation began in 2023 when Ross Thompson, who was sentenced to eight years in prison for a separate drugs investigation, and Lucy Moss, of Skegness, were found with 178g (6oz) of cocaine.
Messages between the two suggested Thompson was being supplied drugs by Zacc Farrell, of Skegness.
In January last year, police recovered 429g (15oz) of cocaine from Connor Fisher, of Boston. Messages suggested Fisher was making a journey on behalf of Farrell and had met Cory Bruen in Kirkby, Liverpool.
Police identified Peter Humphreys, Patrick Oliffe and Bruen were working together to supply cocaine, collect cash, and threatening violence when debts were not paid.
The Liverpool group were trafficking an estimated cocaine supply of between 24kg (52lb) and 30kg (66lb), with the Skegness gang obtaining about 15kg (33lb), Lincolnshire Police said.
The force said Farrell had a pivotal role in the Skegness operation, with Fisher and Tom Ashwell as suppliers.
Pamphilon acted as Farrell's driver for two-and-a-half months, taking him to Liverpool on drug runs.
The operation followed Operation Republic in 2022, which led to the arrests of 70 people and Operation Oystercatcher in 2024, which resulted in eight convictions.
Ricky Adams and Peter Humphreys, who was said to be directing the whole operation, have been jailed
Five of the gang members pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to supply a Class A drug and the transfer of criminal property:
Peter Humphreys, 43, of Roughwood Drive, Northwood, Kirkby, Merseyside, was jailed for 12 years and four months.
Cory Bruen, 31, of Cleadon Road, Kirkby, near Liverpool, was sentenced to 12 years and three months in prison.
Patrick Oliffe, 41, of Parkview Road, Liverpool, was jailed for five years and two months.
Lucy Moss, 38, of The Causeway, Burgh Le Marsh, Skegness, was handed a two-year custodial sentence, suspended for two years.
Zacc Farrell, 32, of Burgh Road, Skegness, was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison.
Three further gang members pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to supply a Class A drug:
Connor Fisher, 25, of The Beeches, Main Road, Stickney, Boston, was jailed for five years and 10 months.
Tom Ashwell, 25, of Wood Grove, Farnley, Leeds, was sentenced to six years and three months in prison.
Charlie Pamphilon, 26, of Southwark Close, Stevenage, was given a two-year sentence, suspended for 18 months.
Ricky Adams, 41, of Mount Road, Liverpool, admitted possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and the transfer of criminal property and was jailed for two years and five months.
Det Sgt Petty said: "The length of the sentences that these people have got shows the level of criminality that they are.
"Hopefully, by putting these people away in Liverpool and also the organised crime group in Skegness, run by Zacc Farrell, sends a message that we will tackle these organised crime groups.
"We will run them to justice and also try and, in turn, make the streets of Lincolnshire a safer place."
Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here, external.
Download the BBC News app from the App Store, external for iPhone and iPad or Google Play, external for Android devices