Flintshire drug gang jailed for over 47 years

A sophisticated drug supply network that pumped cocaine, ketamine and cannabis into communities across Flintshire has been dismantled, with eight members now behind bars following a major police operation. ⚖️

Mold Crown Court heard today how the organised crime gang operated between December 2022 and November 2023, with sentences handed down totalling more than 47 years in prison.

At the heart of the operation was 42-year-old Lee Rigby from Station Road, Sandycroft, who ran the lucrative enterprise by sourcing kilogram quantities of Class A and B drugs from upstream suppliers before organising their sale on a commercial scale. He received 16 years and three months behind bars.

Working alongside Rigby was his trusted associate Mark Poh, also 42, who lived at the same Sandycroft address. Poh handled the weighing and packaging of illegal substances before the pair distributed them through their network of trusted dealers. He was also spotted at criminal meetings with suppliers, handing over cash for drugs. Poh was sentenced to 14 years.

The criminal enterprise was funded by Rigby’s half-brother, 33-year-old Daniel Carroll from Engfield Avenue, Connah’s Quay, who provided cash to purchase the drugs in exchange for profits. Carroll also collected money on behalf of others and used his home as a safe house for storing cash. He received a six-month sentence, suspended for two years, for transferring criminal property.

Rigby’s 21-year-old son Wesley, from Maes Glyndwr, Treuddyn, and Frank Jones, 35, from Cornist Lane, Flint, served as two of the gang’s main downstream suppliers. Wesley received a two-year sentence suspended for two years, whilst Jones was jailed for five years and 10 months.

Jack Harpur, 31, of Sandy Lane, Broughton, played a varying role, primarily using his home to store cash and supplying smaller amounts of drugs for Poh. He received a two-year suspended sentence.

Stephen Lowe, 32, from Woodfield Avenue, Flint, was handed five years and 10 months, whilst Adam Hill, 39, of Upper Aston Hall Lane, Hawarden, received five years and eight months – both for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.

Three women who assisted the gang by storing money in their homes were sentenced at a hearing last May. Katie Williams, 35, from Deva Avenue, Connah’s Quay, Claire Clegg, 43, from Chevrons Road, Shotton, and Jessica Lett, 38, also of Chevrons Road, Shotton, who additionally supplied cocaine and cannabis, each received 12-month community orders with a requirement to complete 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

The convictions followed Operation Zero, a detailed and protracted investigation led by North Wales Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit.

Officers spent months gathering extensive intelligence, focusing on the day-to-day activities and lifestyles of suspects within the criminal network.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Richard Sidney said: “Drugs ruin lives, blight communities, and bring misery to users and their families. This investigation has dismantled an established supply network within Flintshire and that is testament to the diligent police work and specialist skills of a large team of officers working within our Serious and Organised Crime team.”

He added: “Today’s outcome should act as a strong deterrent to anyone involved in drug supply, and a reminder that that we will continue to take decisive action to dismantle organised crime and associated criminal networks. Tackling drug supply will remain a priority for North Wales Police, but we cannot do this without the continued assistance of our communities.”

Anyone with information about drug supply in their area is urged to contact North Wales Police or report anonymously via Crimestoppers.