Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site
We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.
You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.
Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.
This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.
A Liverpool man and two women from Wigan have been jailed following an investigation into ‘Jake’ County Line drug dealing.
Michael Moore of Finch Lane in Knotty Ash, Natalie Devlin of Anson Place, Wigan, and Lauren Jones of Bramble Grove, Wigan appeared at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday, Tuesday 18 June.
They were charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, crack and heroin, over a four-month period between November 2023 and March this year.
Project Medusa is a Merseyside-led initiative set up to tackle County Lines drug dealing and child criminal exploitation.
A joint investigation carried out by detectives from Merseyside Police and Greater Manchester Police into the Jake County Line running between the Knotty Ash into Wigan revealed that Moore was the controller and sent out text messages advertising the sale of Class A drugs.
Merseyside Police Detective Inspector Gary Stratton said: “This has been another large operation with Greater Manchester Police where Moore played a leading role in supplying drugs between Liverpool and Wigan. We are pleased that this investigation has disrupted the chain of supply and taken a significant quantity of drugs off the streets and further afield.
“Organised crime is hugely damaging 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 creating fear, through the running of County Lines. Those involved pay no notice to borders so it is vital we share intelligence and resources, in order to target networks, safeguard vulnerable people and prevent further harm.
“Criminals involved in organised crime have no thought for anyone other than themselves, and their criminal intent and greed.
“Project Medusa is dedicated to cutting these County Lines dead and taking those who operate them off our streets and working with partners to help those who may be exploited by these gangs.”
Detective Inspector Pat Wood, from GMP’s Wigan Challenger team, said: “Our district intelligence team worked diligently to develop pieces of information we were receiving about drug dealing in Wigan. What that intelligence led us to was a drugs gang operating across the Merseyside and Wigan border.
“Working closely with Merseyside Police, who led the investigation, our team alongside the neighbourhood team executed several warrants in the Wigan area leading to the arrests of the principal members, who have been sentenced today. During these warrants, we also located two phones hidden in the front garden of one of the properties which could directly prove their involvement in this drug conspiracy.
“I hope that this cross-border working shows those intent on dealing drugs that committing offences spanning different areas only means more people will be after you, not that you will fly under the radar. We remain committed to routing out the supply of drugs.”
Read more here about how to spot the signs of exploitation linked to drug dealing and the Eyes Open campaign, introduced by Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership: www.eyes-open.co.uk
You can also report any concerns to police on 999 if a crime is in progress, via 101, or via Twitter @MerPolCC.
You can also pass information via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org