This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-21897186
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
International drugs network 'dismantled' after five-year operation | International drugs network 'dismantled' after five-year operation |
(about 2 hours later) | |
An international criminal network that smuggled over 52 tonnes of drugs into the UK has been dismantled after the boss admitted his role, police said. | An international criminal network that smuggled over 52 tonnes of drugs into the UK has been dismantled after the boss admitted his role, police said. |
Philip Baron, 58, from Salford, pleaded guilty to importing cocaine and cannabis and money laundering, at Liverpool Crown Court. | |
He was caught after a five-year joint police probe that saw 89 arrests and 30 people sentenced for various offences. | He was caught after a five-year joint police probe that saw 89 arrests and 30 people sentenced for various offences. |
Baron was living a luxury lifestyle with homes in Spain, Dublin and the UK. | Baron was living a luxury lifestyle with homes in Spain, Dublin and the UK. |
The Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) said the network was responsible for about 6% of all cannabis shipped into the country - 51 tonnes - over the last 15 years. | The Serious Organised Crime Agency (Soca) said the network was responsible for about 6% of all cannabis shipped into the country - 51 tonnes - over the last 15 years. |
The drugs had an estimated street value of £300m. | The drugs had an estimated street value of £300m. |
Police say the group set up 12 virtual offices around the country, where they would have the drugs delivered to, and about £10m of cash was laundered from a base in Wilmslow, Cheshire. | Police say the group set up 12 virtual offices around the country, where they would have the drugs delivered to, and about £10m of cash was laundered from a base in Wilmslow, Cheshire. |
'Top end' crime | 'Top end' crime |
During the police probe, named Operation Beath, officers intercepted 15kg of cocaine, with a street value of £2.5m, when it arrived at an office in Bolton. | During the police probe, named Operation Beath, officers intercepted 15kg of cocaine, with a street value of £2.5m, when it arrived at an office in Bolton. |
The criminals used details of established companies to label packages full of drugs and had over 100 consignments delivered by legitimate courier services, police said. | The criminals used details of established companies to label packages full of drugs and had over 100 consignments delivered by legitimate courier services, police said. |
Steve Baldwin, of Soca, said: "There's no doubt Baron and his associates were operating at the top end of organised crime. | Steve Baldwin, of Soca, said: "There's no doubt Baron and his associates were operating at the top end of organised crime. |
"He lived a lavish lifestyle abroad, portraying himself as a legitimate businessman, while orchestrating the importation of huge amounts of drugs into the UK and in particular the north west. | "He lived a lavish lifestyle abroad, portraying himself as a legitimate businessman, while orchestrating the importation of huge amounts of drugs into the UK and in particular the north west. |
"They thought they were above the law but we were one step ahead of them." | "They thought they were above the law but we were one step ahead of them." |
Baron, the last member of the operation to be dealt with by the courts, moved to a large house in Dublin 15 years ago and also had a property in Spain from where he conducted the operation. | Baron, the last member of the operation to be dealt with by the courts, moved to a large house in Dublin 15 years ago and also had a property in Spain from where he conducted the operation. |
He had paid no tax in any country for 15 years, police said. | He had paid no tax in any country for 15 years, police said. |
Officers are still working to find and confiscate all the profits made by the group. | Officers are still working to find and confiscate all the profits made by the group. |
Previous version
1
Next version