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13 People sentenced over conspiracy to supply
drugs and firearms offences
MERSEYSIDE Police have confirmed that
13 People, 12 men and 1 woman, have been sentenced after being convicted of to
conspiracy to supply drugs and firearms offences. When all sentences have been
added up, it comes to more than 82 years!
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:-
"13 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."
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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 Her Majesty's Prison
Liverpool, using innovative techniques to get the drugs in to associates who
were in the Prison. Even when Kyle Shiels was remanded to Her Majesty's Prison
Liverpool he continued to arrange for large amounts of drugs and phones to be
conveyed into Her Majesty's Prison 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 1st 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 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."
.jpg) Cllr Trish Hardy, Cabinet Member for
Communities and Housing, said:- "As a Council we are committed to putting
our residents 1st 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." |
