Two women and man jailed after police raid homes on vital tips

Two mobile phones hidden in a front garden gave police vital evidence to bring down gang members who flooded Wigan with crack and heroin. Officers investigated the ‘Jake’ county line, which was supplying the city of Greater Manchester with Class A drugs from Liverpool.

Merseyside Police say Michael Moore played a leading role in the operation as a “controller”. He was sending text messages advertising the sale of drugs in Wigan.

He has now been jailed, along with two Wigan women who played their own part in the conspiracy. Officers from Merseyside and Greater Manchester Police worked together to bring down the ‘Jake’ line.

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They uncovered the gang’s actions over a four-month period from November 2023 to March this year. Police say the operation has taken a “significant amount of drugs” off the streets of Wigan.

The information led to a number of warrants being executed by police – and as officers carried out their searches, they discovered the two phones hidden in a front garden which were key to securing the prosecution. Moore, Natalie Devlin and Lauren Jones were charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, crack cocaine and heroin between November 2023 and March 2024.

All three appeared at Liverpool Crown Court where they were sentenced on Tuesday (June 18). Moore, 34, of Finch Lane in Knotty Ash, Liverpool, was jailed for nine years for his leading role in the drug supply chain.

Devlin, 39, of Anson Place, Wigan, was jailed for five years with a further 12 months suspended for breaching a suspended sentence order. Jones, 31, of Bramble Grove, Wigan, was jailed for four years.

Detective Inspector Pat Wood, of GMP’s Wigan Challenger Team, said: “Our District Intelligence Team has been working diligently to develop the information we receive about drug dealing in Wigan. What the information led us to was a drug gang operating across the border into Merseyside and Wigan.

“Working closely with Merseyside Police, who led the investigation, our team, alongside the neighborhood team, executed several warrants in the Wigan area which led to the arrest of key members, who were convicted (on Tuesday). During these warrants we also found two phones hidden in the front garden of one of the properties which could directly prove their involvement in this drug conspiracy.

“I hope this cross-border work demonstrates to drug-traffickers that committing crimes that cover different areas just means more people will be after you, not that you’ll fly under the radar. We remain committed to directing the supply of medicines.”

The operation was part of Project Medusa, which is a Merseyside-led initiative set up to tackle drug trafficking and the criminal exploitation of children. Detective Inspector Gary Stratton, of Merseyside Police, added: “This was another big operation with GMP where Moore played a leading role in the supply of drugs between Liverpool and Wigan.

“We are delighted that this investigation has disrupted the supply chain and taken a significant amount of drugs off the streets and beyond. Organized crime does enormous damage to our communities, often involving intimidation, violence and creating fear, and it is these criminals who run county lines.

“Drug supply is hugely damaging to our communities, often involving intimidation, violence and fear-mongering across county lines. Those involved do not pay attention to borders, so it is vital that we share information and resources to target networks, protect vulnerable people and prevent further damage.

“Criminals involved in organized crime think of no one but themselves and their criminal intent and greed. Project Medusa is dedicated to cutting these county lines and getting those who operate them off our streets and working with partners to help those who may be exploited by these gangs.”

Information about drug dealing can be passed on to the police by calling 101 or reporting it online. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Dial 999 in an emergency.