Drugs gang jailed after trafficking extra-strong heroin between Kendal and the South Lakes

Nine members of an Organised Crime Group, who trafficked over a kilogram of Class A drugs between Merseyside, Kendal and the South Lakes, have been jailed.

The group, who also caused problems to local communities with their extra-strong heroin, have been jailed at Carlisle Crown Court.

They pleaded guilty and their sentences range from 26 months to more than eight years.

The investigation involved officers from Kendal and Lakes Neighbourhood Policing Team and detectives from the Community Serious and Organised Crime Unit working in close partnership to dismantle the ‘Scouse Tom’ OCG, after launching Operation Forfeit in January 2022.

Those jailed on Friday (2 February) included:

• Ryan Norton, 25, of HMP Northumberland. Norton was jailed for eight years and eight months
• Adam Taylor-Morgan, 22, of Kings Road, St Helens. Morgan was jailed for five years and eight months
• Taylor Green, 18 of Bretherton Court, Ratcliffe Place, St Helens. Green was jailed for four-and-a-half years.
• Natalie Underhill, 32, formerly of Sandown Court, Avenham Lane, Preston. Underhill was jailed for 35 months.
• Lisa O’Brien, 43, of Vicars Fields, Kendal. O’Brien was jailed for five years
• Sharon Hayton, 55, formerly of Bonner Court, Kendal. Hayton was jailed for 44 months
• Ashley Cudlipp, 30, of no fixed abode. Cudlipp was jailed for 32 months
• Martin Hornby, 47, of Main Street, Flookburgh. Hornby was jailed for 40 months
• Levi Dixon, 33, of Claife Avenue, Windermere. Dixon was jailed for 26 months

A tenth defendant - Carol McLean - is due to be sentenced at a later date.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Inspector Jamie Eaton said: “Operation Forfeit was a significant operation which spanned many months.

“The aim was to disrupt and dismantle this Merseyside-based group trafficking Class A drugs into the Kendal and South Lakes area. Today’s substantial custodial sentences should serve as a warning to those thinking about establishing similar operations in our communities - we will catch you.

“We take a serious stance on county lines drugs criminals exploiting and targeting our communities and we will do everything in our power to put an end to these gangs operating in Cumbria.

DI Eaton continued: “Bringing ten offenders to justice meant this was a challenging and complex investigation from the start but the dedication and perseverance of the officers involved resulted in the great result we saw at court today, substantial quantities of Class A drugs prevented from reaching our communities, and the seizure of significant quantities of cash.

“We are not complacent and recognise before too long another group will be foolish enough to try their hand. The support of our communities in reporting drug dealing is a key tool in tackling organised criminality and we encourage members of the public to get in touch with any information that might help us."

• drugs gang