Wed, 26 Feb 2020
Seven advocates from No5 Barristers’ Chambers were involved the case of a cross-county drugs plot that saw multiple convictions following a 12-month investigation.
Michelle Heeley QC and Philip Vollans prosecuted the case in which 24 people, including a prison officer, were convicted of supplying Class A and B drugs. This was a complex nationwide investigation covering offences and defendants from several counties and involving several police forces.
The East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) investigation, supported by Leicestershire Police, was launched last summer.
A woman, who worked at HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire, admitted conspiracy to convey a prohibited article into prison. Twenty three of those convicted admitted the offences, one person was found guilty of drug dealing after a trial at Leicester Crown Court.
No5’s Gary Bell QC defended John Grant who was acquitted, Martin Liddiard and Jas Mann defended Kevin Duncalf, Tom Schofield defended Ashley Boyd, while John O’Higgins defended Jacob Chetwynd.
Those convicted over the 'business-like’ drug dealing operation were:
- Kevin Duncalf, 35, of Vogan Avenue, Crosby, Liverpool, who was found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment.
- Shane Whitfield, 35, of Turner Rise, Oadby, Leicester, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs, and conspiracy to produce cannabis.
- Ashley Boyd, 34, of Chapel Close, Houghton on the Hill, Leicestershire, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs, and conspiracy to produce cannabis.
- Emerson George, 38, of Grantham Road, Leicester, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
- Richard O’Donovan, 37, of Wren Close, Syston, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
- Jordan Vaughan, 24, of Powell Street, Boston, Lincolnshire, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.
- Jacob Holland, 24, of Judge Close, Boston, Lincolnshire, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs.
- Leigh McCulloch, 34, of Denbigh Close, Rainworth, Mansfield, Nottingham, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
- Rebecca Griffiths, 40, Preston Road, Rainworth, Mansfield, Nottingham, who pleaded guilty to allowing premises to be used for the distribution of drugs.
- Harlom Everett, 24, of Fishtoft Road, Boston, Lincolnshire, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.
- Scott Wydra, 38, of Coniston Road, Melton, Leicestershire, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.
- Dipak Modvadia, 37, of Ludlow Close, Oadby, Leicester, who pleaded guilty to two counts conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.
- Clint Jones, 42, of Market Garden Close, Thurmaston, Leicester, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.
- Xuan Pham, 35, of Courtney Road, Leicester, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce Class B drugs.
- Dawid Flondro, of Homefield Road, Sileby, who pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
- Dao Pham, 34, of Courtney Road, Leicester, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to produce Class B drugs.
- Sukhpal Dhariwal, 34, of Barkbythorpe Road, Leicester, who pleaded guilty to allowing premises to be used for distribution of drugs.
- Pardeep Dehal, 30, of Haywood Close, Leicester, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.
- Jacob Chetwynd, 28, of Main Street, Bushby, Leicester, who pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
- Kassim Sarang, 28, of Waldron Drive, Oadby, Leicester, who pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
- Rebecca Grace, 33, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convey a prohibited article into prison and intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence (namely contacting a prisoner via a mobile phone he was prohibited from having).
- Reece Denoon, 29, of HMP Longlarton, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to convey a prohibited article into prison.
- Aaron Curtis, 29, of Barkby Road, Syston, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and cultivation of Class B drugs.
- Lee Wright, 32, of Overpark Avenue, Leicester, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and production of Class B drugs.
More than 50 people were arrested during the police operation which saw warrants across Leicestershire as well as Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Liverpool. A further 12 defendants face trial in June
To read more about the case, visit: https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/23-people-including-prison-officer-3840296
