Widnes drugs and gun gang jailed for total of 111 years

The 12 men and one woman – including 10 from Widnes – were jailed for firearm and drug conspiracy offences at Liverpool Crown Court today.

The charges follow investigations into drug supply in Cheshire and four shootings in Speke, Whiston and Huyton between September 2014 and April 2015.

One victim has been left paralysed.

An ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ was discovered inside a Widnes flat, including three firearms and drugs paraphernalia after a warrant was issued on April 23, 2015.

A detailed forensic search was carried out at the property and numerous items were seized.

This provided detectives with strong evidence that the flat was being used by an organised criminal gang for the supply of controlled drugs and storage of a number of powerful weapons and viable ammunition.

Following forensic examination it was established that of the weapons recovered – a Glock, a Browning self-loading pistol and a St Etienne French revolver.

The Glock had been used in four drive-by shootings in Merseyside and the St Etienne revolver in one of these shootings.

The first shooting took place in Eastern Avenue, Speke on September 23, 2014.

Two offenders arrived in the road on a scrambler bike at around 1.30pm and fired shots towards a man in the street, resulting in damage to a house.

The second incident happened in Blundells Lane, Whiston on January 13, 2015.

At around 8.00pm, a man was shot and injured as he walked along the road. He was taken to Whiston Hospital and found to have a bullet entry and exit wound over his right shoulder blade.

The third incident happened in Lincombe Road, Huyton on 11 March 2015. On this occasion, two men received gunshot wounds outside a house on Lincombe Road.

The fourth shooting took place on Copperwood Drive in Whiston on April 10, 2015, after a chase involving occupants of an Audi firing shots at a VW Passat, which left a passenger of the VW Passat with serious injuries.

The victim's life was saved but he was left with a severed spine and is now paralysed from the chest down.

Chief Inspector Mike Evans from Cheshire Policve said: “Today, members of an organised crime gang that brought misery, fear and intimidation to the streets of Widnes and Liverpool have collectively been jailed for a total of more than 111 years.

“The sentences handed down reflect the severity of their crimes and the significant impact that their behaviour had on local people.

“A property in Widnes was used as the ‘safehouse’ for the gang – it was here that they stored the firearms used in the shootings in Merseyside along with cash and other items.

“They brought their criminal activities to the streets of Widnes and often carried out their drug related activity in public places during the day and night with blatant disregard for anyone else.

“It became clear that the organised criminal gang was controlling drug distribution in Widnes.

“It was a significant drug dealing enterprise, who believed they were above the law and untouchable - now they are paying the ultimate price for their criminal activity.

“A dedicated team of officers from both Cheshire and Merseyside Police have spent hours securing evidence, searching for witnesses and painstakingly analysing exhibits as part of this complex case to ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.

“Cheshire Constabulary is committed to tackling organised crime. We will not tolerate those who choose to come into Cheshire believing it is an easy target - be warned as it is only a matter of time before we catch up with you.

“Organised crime blights local communities and residents can rest assured that our efforts will continue. The successful conclusion of this case has resulted in a number of dangerous individuals being taken off the streets for a very long time.”

Paul Remedios, 31, of Deansway, Widnes was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess firearms, five years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply heroin, five years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and three years for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Sean Smith, 33, of Arley Drive, Widnes was sentenced to six and a half years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess firearms.

Scott Smith, 27, of Brookdale, Widnes was sentenced to life imprisonment for conspiracy to possess firearms, seven years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply heroin, five years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and three years for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Victoria Galloway, 31, of Birtley Court, Widnes was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess firearms, five years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply cocaine and two years for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Andrew Hughes, 48, of Bechers, Widnes was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess firearms, five years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply heroin, five years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and five years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Michael Loughran, 26. of Bournemouth Close, Runcorn was sentenced to four years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine and cannabis.

Stephen McCarten, 25, of Irwell Lane, Runcorn was sentenced to three and a half years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine.

Jordan Ferns, 21, of Peel House Lane, Widnes was sentenced to two years suspended for conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine.

Tyrone Grimes, 19, of Smyth Road, Widnes was sentenced to five years imprisonment for possession of a Taser, 18 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis and six months for bringing a prohibited article into prison.

Daniel Mcguire, 25, of Burton Close, Widnes, was jailed for two years and eight months for conspiracy to supply heron and cocaine and possession of cannabis.

David McMullan, 31, from Huyton, was sentenced to two life imprisonments w for conspiracy to possess firearms and arson with intent to endanger life, and four years for blackmail.

Terence O'Donnell, 27, from, Liverpool, was sentenced to three years imprisonment for assisting an offender.

Callum Tombs, 19, from Sutton Manor was sentenced to nine years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess firearms.

Kieran Blair, 23, of no fixed abode was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment for conspiracy to possess firearms, six years imprisonment for conspiracy to supply heroin, six years for conspiracy to supply cocaine and seven years for conspiracy to supply cannabis.