An organized criminal group enjoyed a vacation in Turkey before being apprehended and sentenced to over 100 years in prison.
The main target, dubbed “Boss Man” Joshua Hayes, was at the center of an operation where police wiretapped his Mercedes. Hayes and his associates in the drug supply chain utilized Skorpion submachine guns hidden within a flat’s walls, even hiring a plasterer to ensure their concealment.
Authorities initiated the takedown by raiding two flats in Litherland on July 13 in search of firearms. Although no firearms were found initially, further investigation into a device in Hayes’ car led officers back to a drug user named Michael Caldwell’s residence.
Prosecutor Nicola Daley revealed that conversations between Hayes and his co-defendants indicated plans to secure firearms within a wall cavity using a plasterer’s services. Subsequently, police discovered hidden bags containing firearms, including Skorpion submachine guns and a self-loading pistol, along with explosive bullets.
Hayes, the mastermind behind a significant drug distribution network, was found to supply class A drugs to numerous customers. Additionally, he boasted about his drug trade phone’s value and revealed details of his substantial cocaine distribution operation.
The gang was estimated to have trafficked approximately 9kg of cocaine from January to July, with a street value ranging from £360,000 to £900,000. During a trip to Turkey, Hayes entrusted his illicit activities to accomplices, engaging in money laundering schemes through various bank accounts.
Various members of the criminal group were arrested and sentenced for their roles in the operation, ranging from drug distribution to possession of illegal firearms. The police’s successful operation led to the incarceration of twelve individuals, ensuring the safety of communities in Merseyside from the dangers posed by organized crime groups.