In a major police operation last November, over 160 officers from across Northern England collaborated to dismantle a notorious drug gang. The crackdown focused on ringleader Leighton Hackett and his associates, resulting in nine arrests and 15 property raids.
Leighton Hackett, who admitted to conspiring to supply heroin and cannabis, was arrested at his home in County Durham. Police seized 11 mobile phones, £6,600 in cash, anti-surveillance equipment, and a weapons cache that included knuckledusters and hunting knives. His associates Sonny Thompson, Jake Lee, and John Nelson were also apprehended during the operation.
John Nelson later pleaded guilty after being found in possession of over 5kg of heroin. Thompson and Lee initially denied the charges but eventually admitted to conspiracy to supply cannabis.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that the gang had been under months-long surveillance. The group frequently travelled to Liverpool, where they met with associates Yoann Lou and Martin Pearson to coordinate drug shipments to Wearside.
The police operation recovered heroin valued at approximately £600,000, along with £18,000 in cash and six luxury cars.
On March 25, seven men were sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court, receiving a combined total of 35 years and 10 months in prison. Detective Inspector Brian Smith described the outcome as a significant blow to the organised crime group that had been causing harm across communities from Sunderland to Merseyside.
“These shameless criminals lined their pockets selling highly addictive substances, causing misery to vulnerable people. We will keep disrupting organised crime under Operation Sentinel,” said Detective Inspector Brian Smith.
The court verdicts are as follows:
- Leighton Hackett, 37, of Hesledon, Hartlepool: 9 years for conspiracy to supply heroin and cannabis.
- John Nelson, 50, of Houghton Le Spring: 7 years and 3 months for possession with intent to supply heroin.
- Sonny Thompson, 27, of Sunderland: 8 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis.
- Jake Lee, 22, of Sunderland: 8 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis.
- Yoann Lou, 39, of Liverpool: 6 years and 4 months for conspiracy to supply heroin.
- Martin Pearson, 32, of Liverpool: 6 years and 5 months for conspiracy to supply heroin.
- Gareth Lewis, 44, of Liverpool: 2 years and 10 months for conspiracy to supply heroin.
Originally published by UKNIP.
