Bulkington drugs baron is busted

A NATIONWIDE-known drugs baron who started what was a multi-million pound operation from Bulkington has been jailed.

In what was Warwickshire Police Force's longest running and largest proactive investigation, code-named 'Operation Damascus,' seven members of an organised crime group based in Warwickshire and Spain have been sentenced to a total of nearly 39 years in prison for importing tonnes of illegal drugs into the UK from the continent.

The ring-leader of the gang was Terry Conlon, aged 39 who was living in a luxury barn in Wolvey, a village on the outskirts of Bulkington.

Conlon was identified as the head of an organised crime group and Troy Stanton was his partner, based in a villa in the Alicante area of Spain.

Conlon controlled the importation of drugs into the UK while Stanton was responsible for the crime group's operations in Spain.

Detective Chief Inspector Ally Wright, head of Warwickshire Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) spoke to the News and explained that it was a small piece of intelligence passed on in 2007 that sparked the investigation.

In 2008 police made a number of large seizures of cannabis resin. On July 15, 95kg of cannabis resin was recovered in Hull following a surveillance operation. Intelligence from this operation led officers to a farm in Wolvey where they executed a warrant and found more than three tonnes of resin in Hessian bags marked with a fish symbol.

On July 30, 82kg of resin was recovered following a surveillance operation of a pub car park in Exhall, on the outskirts of Bedworth.The drugs had been from Kent and at the handover all those involved were arrested.

Even though these seizures were linked by SOCU, they needed to gather further evidence to prove they were organised by Conlon and Stanton.

During a painstakingly long investigation which lasted more than six years, including intelligence gathering in Spain and at its peak engaged 140 police officers, the Damascus team finally caught up with Conlon and the rest of his 'gang' in June 2013.

Warwickshire Police, assisted by West Mercia Police and the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, executed warrants in Warwickshire, West Midlands, Kent, Surrey and Sussex and seven men, including Conlon, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to import and supply controlled drugs.

At Birmingham Crown Court, all seven were sentenced to almost 39 years in prison for importing tonnes of illegal drugs into the UK from the continent.

Conlon was given eight-and-a-half years for his role in the network, which DCI Wright told the News was 'very sophisticated' operation.

He said Conlon was acutely aware of police tactics, in fact when police raided his home, they found a book on how to become a billionaire drugs baron and also how to avoid being Turn from P1.

detected by police.

"It was very sophisticated , disciplined and extremely business-like way that they tried to avoid detection," DCI Wright said.

"Conlon was the leader of the network, he was not just known in the Bulkington and surrounding areas, he was a national player in terms of drug dealing, we know that he had made contacts across the country."

As a result of the operation, a grand total of 32 people have been convicted of drug trafficking, drug dealing or related offences. Tonnes of cannabis have been taken off the streets as has 200kg of amphetamines, and five illegal firearms.

"For me, I would say that it has been a good day for justice, Conlon organised the import of millions of pounds worth of drugs in to the country and, as a result of what has happened, I can confidently say that the people who live, work and travel through Warwickshire can feel a little bit safer," DCI Wright said.

He thanked the West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit, strategic alliance partners, West Mercia, as well as the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit and the CPS for their support.

"Credit should also go to Detective Sergeant Paul Hammond and his team, who worked a lot in isolation on this case and have been dogged in their resolve," DCI Wright said.

"It's been a long investigation, it would have been easy to just stop going because they were so good at what they were doing to try and avoid being detected, but it was worth it."

Conlon, who now lives in the south of the county, and Stanton pleaded guilty to all charges against them while other defendants pleaded guilty to some and not guilty to others, so they went trial. The result for each defendant was:

Terry Conlon was sentenced to eight years six months imprisonment. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import a Class B drug (cannabis) and conspiracy to supply a Class B drug (cannabis).

Bryn Clinton, aged 45, of Banbury Road, Bishops Tachbrook, Warwickshire, was sentenced to five years four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to import cannabis and conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Harry Card, aged 31,of Hadlow Road, Tonbridge, Kent, was sentenced to four years four months after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import cannabis. He was found not guilty of two counts of conspiracy to import cocaine.

Michael Wheaton, aged 31, of Golding Gardens, East Peckham, Tonbridge, Kent, was sentenced to three years after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis. He pleaded not guilt to conspiracy to import cocaine, but the jury were unable to reach a verdict and the charge will now be dropped.

Sean Walsh, aged 45, of Mount Pleasant Road, South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, was sentenced to eight years years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to import cannabis and being found guilty of one charge of conspiracy to import cocaine.

Paul James, aged 36, of New Street, Bulkington, was sentenced to six years after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Jovan Tumara, aged 43 of Wordsworth Avenue, Stratford Upon Avon, was sentenced to three years nine months after he was found guilty of conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Two others, Stanton and Renato Haughian, will be sentenced on January 30.

http://www.nuneaton-news.co.uk 19/01/2014