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Scottish Sun
26-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Scots Encrochat gangster who made more than £2million from drug trafficking only has £12,000 left
Montgomery and his accomplices were caught after police cracked an encrypted chat app DIRTY MONEY Scots Encrochat gangster who made more than £2million from drug trafficking only has £12,000 left Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A GANGSTER serving time for a money spinning drugs racket made more than £2million from the scam. But despite the huge earnings from his narcotics network, Leslie Montgomery only has £12,830 which can be seized under Proceeds of Crime laws, a court heard today. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Montgomery was caught after police cracked an encrypted chat app called EncroChat Credit: Getty 2 The 64-year-old was part of an Ayrshire-based mob involved in trafficking drugs Credit: Police Scotland The High Court in Edinburgh had earlier heard the 64-year-old was part of an Ayrshire based mob which were involved in trafficking large scale consignments of cocaine and cannabis. Montgomery and his accomplices Alan Stewart, 44, and Matthew Cullimore, 37, were only caught after police cracked an encrypted chat app called EncroChat used by organised crime groups. Montgomery's conviction prompted prosecutors to launch a proceeds of crime action against him. Lord Stuart heard that defence and prosecution lawyers had agreed to settle the matter. They agreed that Montgomery had made £2,075,990 from drug dealing but he only had £12,830 available to be seized at this point in time. At previous proceedings, the court heard how the trio were caught after French and Dutch law authorities smashed EncroChat which the gang had been using to organise their illegal activities. Stewart used the handle 'ExcitedEmu', Montgomery 'NeatFerret' and Cullimore 'ButchPenguin' to communicate with each other and associates via thousands of encrypted messages. The texts revealed chat including about 'multi-kilogram' hauls of cocaine, £516,000 being owed for drugs and a £100,000 cash payment. Cullimore was clocked at one stage picking up almost £95,000 of dirty money at a local Burger King. Lord Clark told Stewart that he was going to prison for five years and four months. Montgomery received a four year and four month long term whilst Cullimore also received a four years and four month long sentence. Moment drug-smuggling pals DIVE into water during boat chase as they attempt to flee Border Force with cocaine in hull Montgomery claimed any of the dirty money linked to him instead came from an inheritance and gambling. He now has six months to hand over the sum of £12,830. Prosecutors can return to court if they identify further assets linked to his £2 million fortune.
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Prison governor jailed over fling with Breaking Bad drug gang boss dubbed ‘Jesse Pinkman' who gifted her £12k Mercedes
A PRISON governor has been jailed over an illicit relationship with a drug gang boss who gifted her a £12,000 Mercedes. Kerri Pegg was seen as a "rising star" in the Prison Service and quickly rose through the ranks to become governor at HMP Kirkham in Lancashire. 8 Kerri Pegg received a car from her lag lover after she green-lit his release Credit: PA 8 She has now been jailed Credit: PA 8 The prison governor had a fling with Anthony Saunderson Credit: Unpixs 8 He gifted her a £12,000 Mercedes Credit: PA But her career is now in ruins after she Pegg, 42, has now been jailed after she was found guilty of two counts of misconduct in a public office. One relates to the divorcee's fling with Saunderson and the second by failing to disclose county court judgements about her debts. She was also convicted of one count of possessing criminal property, the Mercedes car, from Saunderson. Preston Crown Court heard Pegg released Saunderson on licence in 2019 despite not having the authority to approve the bid. After he was granted his freedom, the prisoner used cash from selling 34 kilos of amphetamines to buy Pegg the Mercedes coupe. On April 6, 2020, Saunderson was sent a message on Encrochat saying "car her for ya bird 12 quid or work" and a photo of the vehicle. The court was told "12 quid" meant £12,000 and "work" meant drugs. Most read in The Sun Saunderson asked "what work they want" and he was told "top or weed" - meaning cocaine or cannabis. Two days later, he arranged for "17 packs" to be dropped off in Manchester to pay for the car. The Mercedes was registered in Pegg's name, with a pal messaging Saunderson: "Where u ya seedy man u and Peggy out floating orrel in the new whip?" Law enforcement agencies cracked the criminal's Encrochat and discovered he was involved in drug trafficking on a huge scale. Saunderson, who was also known to his criminal pals as James Gandolfini -the actor who played Tony Soprano in the mafia TV Series - has now been locked up for 35 years. 8 Police found flip flops at Pegg's home that contained Saunderson's DNA 8 She was arrested in November 2020 The court was told other messages revealed the "ongoing nature" of his relationship with Pegg. Police searched her home on November 19, 2020, and found a toothbrush and flip flops containing Saunderson's DNA. Officers also discovered a haul of designer clothing and found Pegg was subject to a number of county court judgements for unpaid debts. Prosecutor Barbara-Louise Webster said: "Her downfall was two-fold, the first, despite having a good income, she lived beyond her means. "She spent all her income and more, incurring debts and she had county court judgements made against her. "As a consequence, she became vulnerable and open to exploitation. "The second was that she became emotionally and personally involved with a serving prisoner, Anthony Saunderson and later accepted an expensive car, a Mercedes C class, which was paid for by him out of his proceeds of criminal activity ie trading in drugs." Pegg joined the prison service in 2012 as a graduate entrant and worked at prisons in Risley, Liverpool and Styal. By April 2018, she was a governor at HMP Kirkham, where Saunderson was serving a lengthy jail term. He had been locked up in 2014 for his part in importing £19m of cocaine in shipments of corned beef from Argentina. From the start, there were concerns about Pegg being inappropriately close to prisoners. It was also noted that she spent a lot of time in her office with Saunderson. In October 2018, he put in a request to be released on temporary licence. Despite Pegg not having the authority to green light his release, she intervened and approved his application without notifying the official who should have dealt with the case. Days later she was moved to another jail, later becoming duty governor at HMP Lancaster Farms. Saunderson meanwhile was revealed as one of nine gangland figures responsible for producing amphetamines on an industrial, multi-million-pound scale. The gang made and dealt 2.6 tonnes of amphetamines worth £1million - as well as trafficking heroin, cocaine, cannabis, ketamine, MCAT and diazepam. Tarryn McCaffrey, from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: "Kerri Pegg's conduct fell far short of what might be expected from any professional within the Prison Service, let alone one of such a senior grade as prison governor. Read more on the Irish Sun "She was clearly involved in an inappropriate relationship with Saunderson after he was released and the evidence points to this going back further, to a time when he was in jail. "This relationship, and the fact that Pegg failed to disclose her debts to her employers, amount to a gross breach of trust and are therefore extremely damaging to public confidence." 8 Pegg started up the relationship while she was prison governor 8 She was seen as a 'rising star' in the prison service Credit: PA
Scottish Sun
16-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Prison governor jailed over fling with Breaking Bad drug gang boss dubbed ‘Jesse Pinkman' who gifted her £12k Mercedes
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PRISON governor has been jailed over an illicit relationship with a drug gang boss who gifted her a £12,000 Mercedes. Kerri Pegg was seen as a "rising star" in the Prison Service and quickly rose through the ranks to become governor at HMP Kirkham in Lancashire. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Kerri Pegg received a car from her lag lover after she green-lit his release Credit: PA 8 She has now been jailed Credit: PA 8 The prison governor had a fling with Anthony Saunderson Credit: Unpixs 8 He gifted her a £12,000 Mercedes Credit: PA But her career is now in ruins after she embarked on a relationship with inmate Anthony Saunderson, who was known as Jesse Pinkman after the series Breaking Bad. Pegg, 42, has now been jailed after she was found guilty of two counts of misconduct in a public office. One relates to the divorcee's fling with Saunderson and the second by failing to disclose county court judgements about her debts. She was also convicted of one count of possessing criminal property, the Mercedes car, from Saunderson. Preston Crown Court heard Pegg released Saunderson on licence in 2019 despite not having the authority to approve the bid. After he was granted his freedom, the prisoner used cash from selling 34 kilos of amphetamines to buy Pegg the Mercedes coupe. On April 6, 2020, Saunderson was sent a message on Encrochat saying "car her for ya bird 12 quid or work" and a photo of the vehicle. The court was told "12 quid" meant £12,000 and "work" meant drugs. Saunderson asked "what work they want" and he was told "top or weed" - meaning cocaine or cannabis. Two days later, he arranged for "17 packs" to be dropped off in Manchester to pay for the car. The Mercedes was registered in Pegg's name, with a pal messaging Saunderson: "Where u ya seedy man u and Peggy out floating orrel in the new whip?" Law enforcement agencies cracked the criminal's Encrochat and discovered he was involved in drug trafficking on a huge scale. Saunderson, who was also known to his criminal pals as James Gandolfini -the actor who played Tony Soprano in the mafia TV Series - has now been locked up for 35 years. 8 Police found flip flops at Pegg's home that contained Saunderson's DNA 8 She was arrested in November 2020 The court was told other messages revealed the "ongoing nature" of his relationship with Pegg. Police searched her home on November 19, 2020, and found a toothbrush and flip flops containing Saunderson's DNA. Officers also discovered a haul of designer clothing and found Pegg was subject to a number of county court judgements for unpaid debts. Prosecutor Barbara-Louise Webster said: "Her downfall was two-fold, the first, despite having a good income, she lived beyond her means. "She spent all her income and more, incurring debts and she had county court judgements made against her. "As a consequence, she became vulnerable and open to exploitation. "The second was that she became emotionally and personally involved with a serving prisoner, Anthony Saunderson and later accepted an expensive car, a Mercedes C class, which was paid for by him out of his proceeds of criminal activity ie trading in drugs." Pegg joined the prison service in 2012 as a graduate entrant and worked at prisons in Risley, Liverpool and Styal. By April 2018, she was a governor at HMP Kirkham, where Saunderson was serving a lengthy jail term. He had been locked up in 2014 for his part in importing £19m of cocaine in shipments of corned beef from Argentina. From the start, there were concerns about Pegg being inappropriately close to prisoners. It was also noted that she spent a lot of time in her office with Saunderson. In October 2018, he put in a request to be released on temporary licence. Despite Pegg not having the authority to green light his release, she intervened and approved his application without notifying the official who should have dealt with the case. Days later she was moved to another jail, later becoming duty governor at HMP Lancaster Farms. Saunderson meanwhile was revealed as one of nine gangland figures responsible for producing amphetamines on an industrial, multi-million-pound scale. The gang made and dealt 2.6 tonnes of amphetamines worth £1million - as well as trafficking heroin, cocaine, cannabis, ketamine, MCAT and diazepam. Tarryn McCaffrey, from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: "Kerri Pegg's conduct fell far short of what might be expected from any professional within the Prison Service, let alone one of such a senior grade as prison governor. "She was clearly involved in an inappropriate relationship with Saunderson after he was released and the evidence points to this going back further, to a time when he was in jail. "This relationship, and the fact that Pegg failed to disclose her debts to her employers, amount to a gross breach of trust and are therefore extremely damaging to public confidence." 8 Pegg started up the relationship while she was prison governor
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Daily Record
Glasgow drug traffickers unmasked after pair captured boarding plane to Amsterdam
Darrin Campbell and Jamie Montgomery have been unmasked after they were sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow. Two men jailed for setting up a huge drugs trafficking network worth hundreds of thousands of pounds have been unmasked for the first time. Darrin Campbell, 39, and Jamie Montgomery, 44, orchestrated the sale and supply of large quantities of cocaine and cannabis through their drugs network but their illicit activities came crashing down when cops cracked their encrypted messages. Upon intercepting their messages on the Encrochat platform favoured by criminals, specialist police officers exposed their crimes. Campbell and Montgomery were yesterday caged for a total of nine years. The Glasgow pair were then snared as they tried to jet off to Amsterdam. They both pleaded guilty at the High Court in Glasgow on March 31, 2025, to being involved in serious organised crime. Montgomery and Campbell were each jailed for four years and six months yesterday at the High Court in Glasgow, after they admitted being concerned in the sale and supply of controlled drugs. They were also each made subject of Serious Crime Prevention Orders for three years, which will only come into effect upon their release from custody. The court heard between March and June 2020, Montgomery and Campbell discussed drug-trafficking plans. The purchase and supply of controlled drugs, adulterants, cash payments and collections were discussed in frequent messages exchanges between the men. Montgomery also sent several images to Campbell of compressed white power, which was assessed to be cocaine. As well as that, he regularly made arrangements to buy and sell drugs while passing on information to Campbell who was the main point of contact for 'customers'. A conservative estimate was placed on the value of the drugs they sold as they were never recovered. The cocaine was valued at £350,000, while the cannabis was estimated to be worth between £27,000 and £60,000 a month. The pair were arrested as they waited to board a flight to Amsterdam by police officers acting on intelligence in August 2023. Sineidin Corrins, Deputy Procurator Fiscal for Specialist Casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), spoke about the importance of cracking the operation. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Sineidin Corrins said: 'This was a highly successful prosecution which has removed a large quantity of drugs from our streets and caused significant disruption to the local supply chain. 'Jamie Montgomery and Darrin Campbell will now spend time in prison paying for their crimes thanks to an extensive police operation, working with COPFS, to investigate a network of drug supply. Drug trafficking wrecks lives and blights communities where drugs take hold. 'The Crown will continue working with the police and other agencies as a member of Scotland's Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce to ensure that these crimes are detected and those responsible prosecuted using all measures at our disposal.'
STV News
16-05-2025
- STV News
Two jailed after £400,000-a-month cocaine and cannabis trafficking bust
Two men who set up a drugs trafficking network worth hundreds of thousands of pounds have been jailed for a total of nine years. Jamie Montgomery, 44, and Darrin Campbell, 39, both of Glasgow, orchestrated the sale and supply of large quantities of cocaine and cannabis. The drugs they sold were never recovered, but a conservative estimate placed the value of the cocaine at £350,000 and the cannabis at between £27,000 and £60,000 a month. The pair were arrested in August 2023 as they waited to board a flight to Amsterdam by police acting on intelligence. Specialist officers were able to intercept their encrypted messages on the Encrochat messaging platform, which is favoured by criminals. At the High Court in Glasgow, Montgomery and Campbell were each jailed for four years and six months after they admitted being concerned in the sale and supply of controlled drugs. The court heard how the pair began discussing drug-trafficking plans over a period between March 2020 and June 2020. Frequent messages were exchanged detailing the purchase and supply of controlled drugs, adulterants, cash payments, and collections. Montgomery also posted several images to Campbell of compressed white powder, which was assessed to be cocaine. He regularly made arrangements to buy and sell drugs and passed on information to Campbell, who was the main point of contact for 'customers'. They were also each made subject of Serious Crime Prevention Orders for three years which will come into effect on their release from custody. Sineidin Corrins, deputy procurator fiscal for specialist casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: 'This was a highly successful prosecution which has removed a large quantity of drugs from our streets and caused significant disruption to the local supply chain. 'Jamie Montgomery and Darrin Campbell will now spend time in prison paying for their crimes thanks to an extensive police operation, working with COPFS, to investigate a network of drug supply. 'Drug trafficking wrecks lives and blights communities where drugs take hold. 'The Crown will continue working with the police and other agencies as a member of Scotland's Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce to ensure that these crimes are detected and those responsible prosecuted using all measures at our disposal.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
