Multi-million pound drug and gun gang jailed for combined 207 years in Greater Manchester

ITV News

a day ago

The leader of a multi-million pound drug and gun operation who continued to call the shots from his Spanish home has been jailed for 43 years.
Jamie Rothwell, 38, was in charge of a drug empire with an estimated street value of around £26 million and trafficked high-powered weapons such as AK-47 rifles into the UK.
But he was exposed after European law enforcement hacked into the EncroChat encrypted communications network, a system used by organised crime across the continent.
Rothwell, of Salford, became one of the National Crime Agency's most wanted after messages revealed he had organised a shooting in Warrington in a gangland feud - something which saw him featured on a recent Channel 4 documentary Operation Darkphone: Murder by Text.
He was eventually arrested in Amsterdam and deported back to the UK in 2021, before being sentenced alongside nine others at Manchester Crown Court to a combined total of 207 years.
Sentencing him Judge John Potter said: "Mr Rothwell, you have lived much of your life as a professional criminal involved in serious organised crime.
"The offences you fall to be sentenced for graphically illustrate your willingness to follow this path and cause loss and misery to others as you do so.
"You issued orders to others and you expected them to be obeyed. I heard evidence from your co-accused that they feared you.
"You obtained wealth by having access to millions of pounds of cash."
The judge said that Rothwell, who lived in Spain and Portugal, had dealt more than 200 kilos of cocaine and five kilos of ketamine, with the cocaine alone said to be worth £7 million.
Greater Manchester Police 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."
'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.
Who was sentenced?
Jamie Rothwell's was sentenced for 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.
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.
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.