Drugs gang sentenced to total of more than 82 years behind bars
13 People (12 men and one woman) have been sentenced to more than 82 years after being convicted of to conspiracy to supply drugs and firearms offences.
13 People (12 men and one woman) have been sentenced to more than 82 years after being convicted of to conspiracy to supply drugs and firearms offences.
The sentencing follows an extensive investigation by the Matrix Serious Organised Crime team into the supply of controlled drugs (heroin, cocaine, cannabis, spice) by a Sefton based organised crime group who were supplying drugs across Sefton.
Detective Superintendent Lee Turner, said: "Thirteen people have been sentenced for their part in a conspiracy to supply drugs in Sefton. This group was responsible for thousands of drugs deals on a daily basis and brought misery to the streets were they plied their criminal trade.
"Those involved in the group were also responsible for anti -social behaviour around the Hereford Drive estate and were not averse to using violence and intimidation to protect their drugs business.
"Organised crime groups like this, who deal in the wholesale supply and distribution of controlled drugs, don’t care about the impact that supply of drugs has in our communities. But I would like to reassure the decent members of our communities that Merseyside Police is committed to tackling the supply of drugs and we will continue to proactively tackle criminal gangs who think nothing of flooding the streets with dangerous drugs in order to profit from other people's misery.
"There is nothing more that undermines public confidence than being able to see people visibly profiting from crime and we are determined to show people like Shiels and his associates that crime doesn’t pay.”
Det Supt Turner added: "Kyle Shiels and Terry Nixon were not content with dealing drugs in communities across Sefton. With assistance from David McGrady and Kevin Bell they devised a plan to convey drugs into HMP Liverpool, using innovative techniques to get the drugs in to associates who were in the prison.
“Even when Kyle Shiels was remanded to HMP Liverpool he continued to arrange for large amounts of drugs and phones to be conveyed into HMP Liverpool using Connor McKevitt.
"They would try to intimidate officers who were working in the area following concerns raised about drug dealing, because they were disrupting their drugs business as a result of regular stop checks. But the neighbourhood officers were undeterred and continued to build up evidence to support the Matrix investigation in to this organised group. The message is clear - we are relentless in our pursuit of those involved in serious organised crime and will continue to do all we can to put our communities first and remove the threat, risk and harm these individuals bring to our streets."
Area commander for Sefton, Chief Superintendent Paul White, said: “Protecting our communities is a priority for Merseyside Police and those sentenced today were having a real negative impact on the residents of the Hereford Drive estate and other areas in Sefton.
"There is no doubt in my mind that when the residents, who were affected by the criminal activities of these individuals, see the photographs of those sentenced will breathe a sigh of relief.
“I want to take this opportunity to reassure residents that when we receive information about drug related crime and gun crime we will act. In relation to drug dealing, we often have to carry out an extensive operation, which can take some months, to gather evidence to ensure that when we get those involved to court the only option available is a prison sentence.
“But I want to reassure our communities that Merseyside Police is relentless in its pursuit of those involved in serious and organised crime and we will do all we can to find those involved and put them before the courts to keep our communities safe.
“We will continue to work closely with our partner agencies, including Sefton Council, to combat anti social behaviour and criminality.
“But we cannot do this without the public. The streets of Bootle, and other areas, belong to everyone and we rely on our communities to tell us when there are criminal issues in their area so that we can take positive action and protect our communities from those involved in criminality. Any information supplied to us in relation to serious and organised crime will be acted upon.”
Cllr Trish Hardy, Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “As a council we are committed to putting our residents first and creating safe communities across the borough.
“Unfortunately our strong and vibrant neighbourhoods in Bootle have been disturbed by a number of anti-social behaviour incidents and organised crime.
“I am delighted that through partnership work with Merseyside Police we are able to bring those responsible to justice and ensure that our communities remain safe for our residents.”