Seven Jailed for Multi-Million Pound UK Cocaine Conspiracy

Seven men have been jailed for more than 60 years combined after a multi-million-pound UK-wide cocaine conspiracy was brought down. Officers from the Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) stopped the group after finding 52-kilogrammes of cocaine in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The operation culminated with James Garlick, 30, and Shane Wintle, 32, both of HMP Dovegate, being stopped in a vehicle containing the 52-kilogrammes of cocaine. The pair used a network of couriers to distribute cocaine throughout the UK.

They co-ordinated the supply of more than 350-kilogrammes of cocaine between 20 May and 19 June last year, using encrypted communication apps on their phones. The 52-kilogramme seizure has a street value of between £6,246,240 and £7,807,800.

Couriers Identified and Sentenced

The duo’s network of couriers were also caught. Those people were: Andrew Rushton, 46, of Ashbourne, Derbyshire; Harry Upton, 30, of Buxton, Derbyshire; Sam Upton, 28, of Full Sutton, York; Julian Buggs, 57, of no fixed address; and David Rowley, 60, of Church Lawton, Cheshire.

They were all arrested on 15 October last year, before charges were brought to them. Today (Monday 20 April), all seven conspirators have been jailed at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court collectively for more than 60 years.

All pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine. Garlick and Wintle were jailed for nine-years-and-seven-months. Buggs was jailed for nine-years-and-five months. Harry Upton was sentenced to nine years in prison, while Sam Upton was jailed for eight-years-and-two months. Rowley was handed a sentence of eight-years-and-three-months, while Rushton was given seven-years-and-eight-months.

Police Statement

Superintendent Victoria Downing, of our major and organised crime unit, said: "This group worked together to operate a multi-million-pound crime business across the UK and have been rightfully brought to justice for their actions.

"Serious and organised crime on this scale often involves the exploitation of vulnerable people, where career criminals prey on vulnerability and addiction to line their own pockets. I want to assure communities in Staffordshire that specialist officers are working night and day to take robust action against the organised crime groups operating locally."

For more information on how to spot the signs that an organised crime group might be operating in your area, visit our website here.

OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION: This article is based on an official press release issued by a Police Force. Document: UK-wide cocaine conspiracy ends with seven people jailed Source Link 

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