Lee Standen the final member of a Wigan-based gang, has been sentenced to 19 years in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to supply cocaine. This comes after a lengthy investigation by the Serious Organised Crime Group, which uncovered a network of criminals conspiring to flood the North with drugs and weapons.

The investigation was made possible by Operation Venetic, in which the National Crime Agency gained access to messages from the once-encrypted messaging platform, Encrochat. This platform, often referred to as a criminal version of WhatsApp, provided a wealth of incriminating evidence, allowing detectives to attribute messages to individuals across the UK.

Standen, along with eight other men, played varying roles in the criminal enterprise. Dean Smallwood, Jamie Kenny, Leon Kenny, Sam Causer, Nathan Hart, Ian Ormshaw, Nathan Cooke, and Daryl Golding were all convicted last month after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs and conspiracy to possess criminal property.

Throughout the investigation, police uncovered messages detailing the gang’s entire operation, including the concealment of funds and methods of maximising drug profits. The gang was found to be laundering over £200,000 in cash between March and June 2020, fuelling further criminal activity within the community.

In March 2021, police executed 18 simultaneous warrants across Wigan, resulting in the seizure of mobile phones, luxury items, drugs, body armour, and cryptocurrency wallets. The extensive evidence gathered during the operation led to the successful prosecution of the gang members.

Detective Chief Inspector Claire McGuire, who leads the force’s Challenger team, commended the efforts of the Serious and Organised Crime Group in intercepting the gang’s illicit activities. She emphasised the impact their actions had on vulnerable individuals and expressed gratitude to the Crown Prosecution Service and prosecution barristers for their collaboration in building a strong case.