In November 2019 more than 160 officers from across the North of England joined forces as part of a coordinated crackdown aimed at dismantling the criminal organisation once and for all.

A total of nine men were arrested in strikes that saw 15 properties raided, including those belonging to ringleader Leighton Hackett and his associates Sonny Thompson, Jake Lee and John Nelson.

Hackett, who pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply heroin and cannabis, was arrested alongside his workers – with a search of his County Durham home uncovering 11 phones, £6,600 cash, anti-surveillance equipment and a stash of weapons including a knuckleduster and hunting knives.

Last year Nelson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin after being found in possession of 5.03kgs of the class A drug on his arrest.

Thompson and Lee denied their involvement but later pleaded guilty to conspiring to supply cannabis.  

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the group had been monitored for several months while they were travelling to and from Liverpool where they met with associates Yoann Lou and Martin Pearson. Together they organised couriers to deliver the drugs to Wearside.

And, when the group was caught it was one of the largest operations the Force has carried out to date – with 160 officers targeting addresses in Sunderland, Durham and Merseyside.

Heroin worth £600,000 was recovered as well as £18,000 in cash and six luxury cars.

Following the complex investigation, seven men were subsequently charged, and on Friday (March 25) they all were sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court – totalling 35 years and 10 months.

Following the case Detective Inspector Brian Smith, from the Force’s Priority and Organised Crime Team (POCT), praised the sentences, saying they marked the end of an organised criminal group who had brazenly broken the law.

He said: “As a Force we have always made it clear that we will take firm action against anyone involved in organised crime and we will never apologise for that.

“These sentences mark the end of a long-running investigation into Hackett, his associates and their despicable drugs enterprise which was causing misery for residents not only on Wearside, but on Merseyside and beyond.  

“These shameless criminals will happily line their pockets selling highly addictive substances, regardless of how many serious problems this causes for the most vulnerable people in our society.

“On behalf of the Force, I would like to thank all the officers involved in this investigation, including those from the North East Regional Special Operations Unit (NERSOU) and Merseyside Police, who not only helped us carry out a successful day of action but whose subsequent enquiries helped land all those involved before the courts, with each and every one of them now brought to justice.

“Be aware that under the banner of Operation Sentinel we will continue to disrupt organised criminality and pursue those who flout the law and make money from making our communities miserable.”

Court results as follows:

• Leighton Hackett, 37, of Hesledon, Hartlepool previously admitted conspiracy to supply Heroin and Cannabis at Newcastle Crown Court and was sentenced to a total of 9 years in prison.
• John Nelson, 50, of Morton Crescent Houghton Le Spring pleaded guilty to Possession with intent to supply heroin and was sentenced to 7 years and 3 months in prison.
• Sonny Thompson, 27, of Nora Street, Sunderland, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis and was sentenced to 8 months in prison.
• Jake Lee, 22, of Mayfield Avenue, Sunderland pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cannabis and was sentenced to 8 months in prison.

Three of their associates arrested in Liverpool also appeared at the same court and were sentenced as follows:

-Yoann Lou, 39, of Wharncliffe Road, Liverpool pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to supply heroin and was sentenced to 6 years and 4 months.

– Martin Pearson, 32, of Aspes Road, Liverpool pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to supply heroin and was sentenced to 6 years and 5 months.

–  Gareth Lewis, 44, of Minver Road, Liverpool pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Supply heroin and was sentenced to 2 years and 10 months.