Five members of an organised crime group receive sentences totalling 57 years

Five members of an organised crime group responsible for trafficking more than 70 kilograms of Heroin, with an approximate street value of £7,000,000, around the United Kingdom have received sentences totalling 57-years and 2-months today at Cardiff Crown Court.

Five men were brought before the Court following a protracted investigation – known as Operation Solon – which was led by Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales.

Tarian commenced the operation on May 12, 2022, when they requested that Police Scotland arrest Steven Creasey. Creasey, an ex-police officer who had also worked for the Royal Navy, was stopped whilst driving his vehicle to Fife. He had already driven from his home in Cardiff to Liverpool. A professionally installed hide under the passenger seat of the vehicle was found by a drugs dog, along with 5 kilograms of Heroin and 1 kilogram of Adulterant. A burner phone connecting Creasey to further OCG members was also found on his person.

Tarian’s subsequent investigation evidenced that Creasey was a Cardiff-based professional courier who had been engaged by the heads of an OCG based in Liverpool. Christopher Brannan and Stephen Hopkins collected wholesale amounts of Heroin, then distributed the onward supply across the UK via Steven Creasey, Kevin Thomson, Christopher Heaney, and Jeffrey Hickson. Christopher Brannan would then launder the proceeds through his partner, Kirsty Murphy’s, bank account.

Enforcement days led and coordinated by officers from Tarian were carried out at the end of 2022 in Cardiff, Liverpool, Anstruther, Lochgelly and Blyth. Warrants were executed at the home addresses of all the defendants with the assistance of local police forces. Significant items were found at the addresses, including expensive jewellery, Heroin, Cocaine, Adulterants, Opium, Cannabis Grows, and Metal Moulds for pressing powder into blocks.

All five defendants pleaded guilty prior to trial. The following sentences was passed today at Cardiff Crown Court.

Christopher Brannan of 15 Sanderman Road, Walton, Liverpool was convicted on the December 16, 2022, for Conspiracy to Supply Heroin. He has been sentenced to 18-years and 5-months in prison.

Christopher Heaney of 6B Cunzie Street, Anstruther, Fife was convicted on February 6, 2024, for Conspiracy to Supply Heroin. He has been sentenced to 9-years and 5-months in prison.

Jeffrey Hickson of 1 Brewery Street, Blyth, Northumberland was convicted on February 7, 2024, for Conspiracy to Supply Heroin. He has been sentenced to 10-years and 4-months in prison.

Kevin Thomson of 44 Inchgall Avenue, Crosshill, Lochgelly, Fife was convicted on January 20, 2023, for Conspiracy to Supply Heroin. He has been sentenced to 6-years and 10-months in prison.

Steven Creasey of 7 Allerton Street, Grangetown, Cardiff was convicted on March 17, 2023, for Conspiracy to Supply Heroin. He has been sentenced to 12-years and 7-months in prison.

Stephen Hopkins, formerly of 117 Haven Road, Fazakerley, Liverpool was convicted on December 16, 2022, for Conspiracy to Supply Heroin. He passed away prior to sentencing.

Kirsty Murphy of 15 Sandeman Road, Walton, Liverpool was convicted on August 10, 2023, for Production of Cannabis and Arranging the Retention of Criminal Property. She was sentenced to 6 months, suspended for 18 months.

Officer in the Case, Detective Constable Rhys Richards of Tarian ROCU, said:

“This OCG spread misery across the United Kingdom for their own financial benefit. Justice has now caught up with them. Operation Solon was a complex investigation spanning two different jurisdictions, and the sentences handed down today are the result of dedicated police officers and police staff working tirelessly to achieve a positive outcome.

“I hope these sentences send a strong message to those who see drug dealing and associated crimes as a way to make quick and substantial amounts of money.

“We continue to work alongside local police forces and law enforcement agencies to ensure criminals such as these are caught and brough to justice. I would like to thank each of the police forces and agencies who assisted us in this operation, which has demonstrated how effective partnership working can be.”

Detective Inspector Christopher McGlinchey of Police Scotland said:

“This case underlines our collaborative efforts to dismantle organised crime networks that span regions.

“The significant amount of drugs trafficked by this group had the potential to inflict serious harm on our communities.

“The success of Operation Solon demonstrates strong partnership working between Police Scotland, Tarian ROCU and other partner agencies. It also reinforces our commitment to the UK’s Serious and Organised Crime Strategy.

“Organised crime has no place in our society and we will continue to work relentlessly to bring those responsible to justice.”

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