Multi-million pound drug and gun gang jailed for almost 207 years following large scale investigation

The leader of a multi-million-pound drug and gun operation, who featured on the recent Channel 4 documentary  Operation Darkphone: Murder by Text, has been jailed for 43 years.
Jamie Rothwell, 38, of Grindon Avenue, Salford, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court, along with nine associates, who were jailed for a combined 163 years and 11 months.
Rothwell pleaded guilty in February to one count of conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life; one count of conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class A, namely cocaine; two counts of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and a single count of conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class B, namely ketamine.
In April 2020, following the infiltration of the once encrypted messaging service EncroChat by international law enforcement agencies, specialist detectives from our Serious Organised Crime Group launched a covert investigation into a large-scale drug, money laundering, and firearms conspiracy.
When the encrypted platform was compromised in April 2020, Rothwell was living in Spain and continuing to orchestrate the importation and distribution of drugs, firearms, and criminal cash from abroad. 
Despite his attempts to evade justice, detectives were able to monitor his encrypted communications in real time, exposing his command over a sprawling criminal enterprise and his involvement in the trafficking of high-powered weapons, including AK-47 rifles.
His drug empire was estimated to have a street value of around £26m – he was deported back to the UK in 2021 to face trial.

Sentenced alongside Rothwell were:

• Craig Makinson, 50, of Springpool, Winstanley, was sentenced to 38 years in prison for conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life/enable another to do so; conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug - heroin; conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug - cocaine; conspiracy to supply a class B controlled drug - amphetamine; and conspiracy to conceal/disguise/convert/transfer/remove criminal property.
• Callum Morris, 33, of Carr Bank Crescent, Atherton, was sentenced to 38 years in prison for conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug - cocaine; and conspiracy to conceal/disguise/convert/transfer/remove criminal property.
• James Close, 44, of Henry Street, Leigh, was sentenced to 36 years in prison for conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life; conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug - cocaine; and conspiracy to conceal/disguise/convert/transfer/remove criminal property.
• Zak Rourke, 35, of Deakins Mill Way Egerton, Bolton, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for conspiracy to possess firearms with intent, conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent, conspiracy to supply cocaine, ketamine and possess criminal property.
• Andrew Ackers, 39, of Benjamin Road, Wigan, was sentenced to ten years and two months in prison for conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug - cocaine; and conspiracy to conceal/disguise/convert/transfer/remove criminal property.
• Scott Davies, 36, of Courier Place, Wigan, was sentenced to eight years and six months in prison for conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug - heroin; and conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug – cocaine.
• Terence McDonagh, 34, of Thorncroft Avenue, Astley, was sentenced to eight years in prison for conspiring to possess firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life.
• John Stankus, 70, of Wigan Street, Platt Bridge, Wigan, was sentenced to six years in prison for conspiracy to supply cocaine and amphetamine.
• John Moore, 38, of Kendal Drive, was sentenced to one year and three months in prison for conspiracy to conceal/disguise/convert/transfer/remove criminal property and participating in the activities of an organised crime group.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Sergeant Colin Shackleton said: “The supply of Class A drugs in this investigation were on an industrial scale, with the criminal gang making eye-watering profits.
"They believed they were above the law, and having access to their messages gave us real insight into their arrogant, egotistical, and apathetic nature.
“This has been a complex and long-standing investigation which has spanned years and international borders.
"These sentences today are testament to years of hard work by Greater Manchester Police SOCG team, Cheshire SOCU, the Crown Prosecution Service, Prosecution Barristers, the NCA and our partner agencies.
“It is not uncommon for suspects to flee the country in a bid to avoid facing the consequences of their crimes, but this case epitomises our dedication of bringing offenders to justice, regardless of where they try and hide.
“International collaboration was crucial to this case, and here we worked closely with the National Crime Agency and the Spanish authorities, and we continue to do so to locate fugitives who are currently at large.
“We share the common goal to see these people behind bars and we will do all we can to achieve this.”

Wayne Johns, National Crime Agency senior investigating officer for Operation Venetic, said: “The NCA used its global reach to trace and arrest Jamie Rothwell, not just once, but twice, bringing him back from Spain and then Holland when he went on the run a second time.
“Fugitives should take note of the NCA’s tenacity in tracing wanted offenders, and working with partners such as GMP, we will never give up on finding and returning those who have fled justice.
“More than 2,200 criminals have been convicted under Operation Venetic, and Jamie Rothwell is one of the most dangerous.
“Throughout the operation, the NCA and UK police have stopped 200 threats to life, seized over £84m in criminal funds and more than eight tonnes of class A drugs, recovered 175 firearms and more than 3,500 rounds of ammunition.
"UK law enforcement will continue doing everything possible to protect the public from serious and organised crime.”

Rebecca Macaulay Addison, Specialist Prosecutor for CPS North West’s Complex Casework Unit, said: “The sentencing of these men concludes 5 years’ work by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Prosecution Counsel and Greater Manchester Police, assisted by the National Crime Agency.
“The use of EncroChat communication devices as part of their involvement in serious organised criminal activities ultimately led to their offending coming to light.
“It was evident from EncroChat messages obtained that Jamie Rothwell, 38, played a leading role which included him organising the purchase and supply of class A drugs, firearms, ammunition and directing acts of extreme violence.
"The others who have been sentenced today and at previous hearings all played their part in the same criminal activities.
“The CPS continue to work tirelessly to ensure that those who engage in such activity are brought to justice.
“We will pursue confiscation proceedings against the defendants to ensure that they do not profit from the money gained through their crimes.”