Damien O'Connor, 43, of Woodlands in Scotforth, Lancaster, and now resident in Belgium, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. The verdict at Liverpool Crown Court, comes after a joint operation between Lancashire Constabulary's Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU); the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA); and the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO). Operation Medlar targeted the distribution of Class A drugs around the north west of England by an organised crime group based in Accrington.
Shortly after it started in August 2006 it became apparent that the operation crossed international boundaries due to links with Damien O'Connor in Belgium and Holland, and meetings with James Craw, 44, of Hale Carr, Morecambe; and Stephen Marshall, 32, of Edenvale Crescent, Lancaster; who at this time were subjects of a SOCA Operation, codenamed Capote. It was agreed that the investigation would be run jointly making it the first joint operation of its kind since the formation of SOCA.
A total of 12 subjects were identified for the two operations including Majeed Shah, 32, of King Street, Lancaster. From August-December 2006, numerous conversations and meetings were recorded. Evidence gathering continued and all suspects were arrested in February 2007 following a co-ordinated joint strike operation between SOCU and SOCA in England and the Belgian authorities with regard to O'Connor. All were later charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. Between July 2006 and February 2007, the defendants imported a total of 10kg of heroin and 10kg of cocaine with a street value in excess of £1 million from the continent. The drugs were imported by lorry where delivery teams in Merseyside and Lancashire sold them on. The operation spanned three countries including investigations and evidence taken in England, Belgium and the Netherlands. All 12 men will be sentenced at a later date.
Detective Supt Dave Brian, head of Lancashire Constabulary's Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said: "I am delighted with the result which highlights first class co-operation between SOCU, SOCA and RCPO. This shows how Lancashire Constabulary is making Lancashire a difficult place for organised criminals to operate and I would hope that this sends a strong message to those who commit serious and organised crime - you will be caught and punished."
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