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Three men have been sentenced to 30 years behind bars for conspiracy to convert and supply firearms. Vincent Joyce, aged 40 of Rawtenstall, Lancashire was sentenced to 14 years today at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to 19 offences on 21st of February 2020. Stephen Flatley, aged 54 of Waterford, Rossendale also pleaded guilty to 10 offences for which he was sentenced to 11 years, six months. Following a trial, Paul Macdonald, aged 39, of Kirkstall Rd, Middleton was found guilty of drugs and firearms offences for which he was sentenced to four years and six months behind bars. The investigation began after officers from the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) made an arrest in Sheffield on 6th April 2019 during which a number of firearms, linked to Joyce and Flatley were recovered.
Last week saw police forces around Britain take part in a County Lines Intensification Week. Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales, worked with partners including Dyfed-Powys, South Wales, and Gwent Police as well as British Transport Police to take extensive action against suspected county lines activity. The aim of the week was to ensure that all possible opportunities to disrupt criminals and safeguard vulnerable people were maximised. Results throughout the week include:
32 arrests
Over £179,000 worth of drugs seized, including 1.5kg of heroin
Over £23,000 cash seized
A number of people vulnerable to exploitation visited, spoken to and signposted to support.
Dozens of cars stopped and three arrested in police crackdown on drugs trade
Three people arrested and 26 cars stopped in Merseyside Police blitz targetting crooks peddling drugs across borders
11:18, 21 MAY 2021
Updated
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Cash and phones were seized as specialist police surrounded cars during Merseyside swoops targeting crooks who peddle drugs across borders. Officers from Merseyside Police s Matrix guns and drugs unit teamed up with their counterparts in Cheshire, North Wales and Lancashire for a Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) blitz against County Lines drug gangs.
County Lines are networks run by city gangs who attempt to take over the drugs market in other towns and cities, sometimes peddling misery hundred of miles from their base.
Five arrested and firearm seized in cross-border police operation including drugs raid in Whitby
A firearm was also recovered from a property
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Thank you for subscribingWe have more newslettersShow meSee ourprivacy notice Five people have been arrested in a joint police operation targeting the supply of drugs.
Friday 12 March 2021
Two men were due to appear before magistrates today charged with drugs offences following a police investigation into cross county drugs trafficking.
Ben Heppenstall (21) of Watercroft in Huddersfield was due to appear before Leeds Magistrates Court charged with Conspiracy to Supply Class A Heroin and Crack in the Scarborough area and Possession of a Section 5 firearm.