A drug trafficking gang responsible for flooding Worcestershire and Herefordshire with cocaine and cannabis has been sentenced to a total of 94 years and four months at Worcester Crown Court.
The sentences are the result of a lengthy investigation by the Regional Organised Crime Unit for the West Midlands (ROCUWM), known as Operation Pyrogenic. The operation exposed the gang’s large-scale drug supply network, which spanned across Worcestershire, Herefordshire, and the West Midlands, and even reached areas like Lincolnshire and Devon.
The gang, which included Paul Bailey, Jamie Worrall, Arron Adams, Adam Nicholls, Nicola Everton, Phillip Smith, and Shaun Carr, was convicted of conspiracy to supply a total of 10 kilograms of cocaine and 20 kilograms of cannabis. The sentences for the key gang members are as follows:
Paul Bailey (56, Redditch): 20 years
Jamie Worrall (38, Kidderminster): 17 years
Arron Adams (39, Worcester): 22 years
Adam Nicholls (42, Worcester): 23 years
Nicola Everton (37, Worcester): 6 years
Phillip Smith (57, Worcester): 6 years 4 months
Additionally, Shaun Carr (39, Worcester) received a 10-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, after being found guilty of money laundering.
The gang used encrypted mobile devices on the French-based platform ‘Encro-chat’ to coordinate their drug supply activities. This encrypted network was later infiltrated by the National Crime Agency (NCA), leading to the arrest of gang members in 2020 and 2021.
The investigation uncovered significant evidence, including drug supply discussions on the encrypted phones and photographs linking the suspects to the illegal operations. Arrests were made after drugs and cash were found, with notable finds including £17,000 in cash and a kilogram of cocaine during searches.
Detective Chief Inspector Peter Cooke from ROCUWM praised the operation, stating that the investigation had taken a large number of drugs off the streets and delivered lengthy sentences to those involved in the criminal network. He emphasized the importance of tackling drug supply lines and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
These convictions send a clear message that drug dealers, no matter how sophisticated, will be caught and face serious consequences for their actions. The authorities remain committed to disrupting drug trafficking and keeping communities safe.
