Gun Gang To Be Sentenced

Eight men are awaiting sentencing for their part in a major drugs and firearms conspiracy spanning the UK, Europe and South America.

Martin Graham, Michael Hailwood, Edward McIntosh, Lucasz Litwinski, Karol Siejda, James Boyle, Jason Bowley and Leslie Graham have all pleaded guilty to drugs offences in relation to Lancashire Constabulary's Operation Greengage.

An investigation, launched in November 2006, found that Hue was using a network of couriers, which included close family members and friends, to transport funds to Amsterdam to pay for controlled drugs that would be subsequently imported into the UK.

Hue's group made numerous trips between the UK and Amsterdam, with money being exchanged at both ends.

Drugs and firearms were being smuggled into the UK via the specially modified Multiplas.

As the investigation progressed, an extensive organised crime group operating across England, Scotland and Europe was identified. It became apparent that an Organised Crime Group within Scotland was already being investigated by the Scottish Crime and Drugs Enforcement Agency.

Their investigation was focused on Edward McIntosh and Michael Hailwood who were involved in the importation of cocaine into the UK.

Between October 2007 and December 2007, police in Holland were using telephone intercepts to listen to the calls of Hailwood, McIntosh and another man as part of a separate operation.

Human couriers - primarily of East European origin - were being used to import cocaine direct from South America to the UK via the European mainland.

These couriers were accompanied personally by Michael Hailwood, Leslie Graham or other trusted associates to supervise the couriers during the flights.

ansfers into that country that would undoubtedly have been used to fund the importations.

In August 2008 Hailwood, who is originally from Liverpool but was living in Amsterdam, was stopped by the police in the Netherlands driving one of the Multiplas.

The vehicle was seized and later searched by Lancashire Constabulary where it was found to contain one pellet of cocaine. Hailwood was arrested and charged as a result of the ongoing operation.

Joanne Cunliffe, Crown Advocate from the CPS Complex Casework Unit in Lancashire, said: "This is an excellent example of interagency liaison. From an early stage we set up close partnerships with our Scottish and foreign investigative and judicial counterparts ensuring that good lines of communication were established.

"The drugs and firearms that this crime group smuggled into the UK were destined for the streets of Lancashire and elsewhere. With this group convicted hopefully our streets are a safer place to live."

(PR/GK)