Gang leader from Motherwell that shipped class A drugs between England and Scotland convicted

.
Author: Stephanie AllisonPublished 1st Nov 2024

A senior member of an organised crime group (OCG) that ran an industrial scale amphetamine lab in Scotland, and trafficked heroin and cocaine, has been convicted following his extradition by the National Crime Agency.

Colin Wright, 38, from Torre Pacheco in Murcia, and formerly of Motherwell, was arrested by the Spanish National Police in March this year at the request of the NCA, and returned to the UK on 4 October.

Overseas travel

Wright had travelled abroad in August 2020, and remained in Spain to avoid capture after NCA officers apprehended fellow OCG members in March 2021.

Wright was the head of the OCG's Scottish arm, and was actively involved in the supply of cocaine and heroin in both Scotland and England.

He worked closely with Terence Earle, 50, who was jailed for 16-and-a-half years in April 2023, and Terence's cousin Stephen Earle, 52, who was jailed for 11 years and four months in August this year.

Wright created an amphetamine lab in Motherwell.

Wright helped ship at least 10 kilos of heroin and seven kilos of cocaine, with the former moved from Merseyside to Motherwell and the latter in the opposite direction.

Guilty plea

He pleaded guilty to five drugs charges at Liverpool Crown Court today (1 November) and will be sentenced at the same court on 25 November.

The NCA's investigation formed part of Operation Venetic, the UK NCA-led law enforcement response to the takedown of the EncroChat service in July 2020.

NCA Branch Commander Jon Sayers said: "Colin Wright was an integral member of this high harm criminal organisation, which posed a serious danger to communities across Scotland and Merseyside.

"The drugs they trafficked would have fuelled violence and exploitation in these areas, so bringing this criminal group to justice has helped protect the public.

"Wright's case also shows that there is nowhere to hide for criminals who seek to avoid arrest by living overseas, as the NCA has the international scope to find you and make you pay for your crimes."

Hear the latest news on Clyde 1 on FM, DAB, smart speaker or the Rayo app.