A group of six men involved in a conspiracy to supply Class A drugs between Manchester and Nottinghamshire has been sentenced to nearly 50 years in prison collectively.
The extensive operation, which ran from June 2022 to January 2023, saw significant amounts of cocaine and heroin distributed throughout Nottinghamshire. The investigation, led by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), targeted two organized crime groups (OCGs) that utilized various mobile phones to coordinate the movement, storage, and sale of controlled substances.
On January 5, 2023, police stopped a vehicle in Mappleton Drive, Mansfield, leading to the arrest of a suspect and the seizure of two half-kilo blocks of heroin. Following this, a series of warrants executed across multiple locations—including Edwinstowe, Hucknall, Bulwell, and Radcliffe-on-Trent—resulted in further drug seizures and arrests.
The Nottinghamshire-based crime group was led by 36-year-old Mark Malone, who was responsible for organizing the purchase and distribution of large quantities of cocaine and heroin. Currently incarcerated at HMP Peterborough, Malone has pleaded guilty to supplying a Class A drug and possession of a firearm and ammunition. He is set to be sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on July 30, 2024.
Andrew Ratcliffe, 41, head of the Manchester-based group, pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiring to supply a Class A drug and was sentenced to 12 years in prison on July 18, 2024.
The remaining six men involved in the conspiracy received the following sentences:
- Michael Lawrence, 35, of South Normanton, received 11 years and seven months for conspiring to supply a Class A drug.
- Zak Jackson, 27, of Kirkby-in-Ashfield, was sentenced to eight years for his role in the conspiracy.
- Daniel Busuttil, 33, of Manchester, was locked up for eight years after pleading guilty to multiple drug supply charges.
- George Turner, 35, of Hucknall, received six years and nine months for drug conspiracy and possession of cannabis.
- James Morledge, 38, of Radcliffe-on-Trent, was sentenced to three years for cannabis supply.
- Tyler George, 21, of Edwinstowe, received a suspended 21-month sentence and was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Adas from Nottinghamshire Police emphasized the significance of the investigation, noting that the Manchester group was responsible for supplying drugs with an estimated street value of £2.2 million across 22 occasions.
He stated, “These sentences send a strong message to anyone involved in drug supply: you will be caught and face justice. Our investigation team worked meticulously to dismantle these OCGs, which posed real risks to our communities and exploited vulnerable individuals.”
Adas expressed relief that those responsible for such serious criminal activities have been removed from the streets, ensuring they can no longer profit from their actions.
