Preston Drug Gang Busted: Nearly 60 Years of Jail Time Handed Down
A major Class A drug ring dealing heroin and cocaine in Preston has been smashed after a hard-hitting police probe dubbed Operation Whistler. The gang, led by Niall McFarlane, used slick tactics to flood the streets with dangerous drugs – but now face hefty jail sentences.
Encrypted Phones and ‘Drug Lines’ Exposed
McFarlane, the gang’s ‘kingpin,’ bought wholesale drugs before passing them to members who cut the products and sold them to users. The gang cleverly used an encrypted mobile network called Encrochat to communicate and run their criminal empire via secret ‘drug lines’ — phone numbers used to sell drugs.
But their high-tech communications were cracked after the National Crime Agency took down Encrochat servers in 2020 during Operation Venetic. Detectives launched their own deep-dive in 2019, gathering months of evidence to link McFarlane — code-named Rawbear — and his cronies to the supply chain and money laundering.
Prison Time for Preston’s Dealers
This week, seven gang members received a combined total of almost 60 years behind bars. An eighth member walked away with a suspended sentence.
- Niall McFarlane, 29, Maxy House Road – 11 years 3 months
- Pritesh Chohan, 29, Lyndon Close – 10 years
- Ben Sanders, 31, Lovat Road – 9 years 6 months
- Daniel Quinn, 30, Holme Slack Lane – 9 years
- Steven Crook, 31, Westfield Drive – 7 years 6 months
- Owen Collier, 23, Woodacre Road – 5 years 4 months
- Daniel Hughes, 38, Lovat Road – 4 years
- Ethan Knowles, 21, Maple Grove – 2 years suspended
All except Knowles admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, plus money laundering. Knowles pleaded guilty to the drug conspiracies but avoided prison for now.
Detective’s Warning: Drugs Destroy Communities
“This was a significant and complex investigation resulting in nearly 60 years of sentences,” said Det Con Richard Shires.
“This organised crime gang brought misery to Preston and beyond with their Class A drug trade. Their only goal was profit, with zero regard for the devastation they caused.”
“Drug dealing destroys lives. We are committed to hunting down serious criminals and taking them off our streets for good. These sentences show how seriously the courts view this evil trade.”
“I hope our communities feel safer knowing these dangerous individuals are locked up and that police will keep cracking down on crime.”
