Five Sentenced in Major Drug Trafficking Operation from Liverpool to Cornwall

In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, five men have been sentenced to a total of 47 years in prison for their roles in a multi-million-pound heroin distribution network. The sentencing, which took place at Truro Crown Court on 1st March, marks the culmination of a complex investigation into the group’s activities, which saw heroin being transported from Liverpool to Cornwall.

The individuals sentenced are:

• Shaun Quinn, 37, of Greenhill Road, Allerton, received a 12-year sentence.
• Daniel Bridson, 46, of Round Hey, Stockbridge Village, was sentenced to eight years.
• Daniel Stanton, 34, of Finch Meadow Close, Fazakerley, received a nine-year sentence.
• Simon Mitchell, 34, of Lower Fore Street, Saltash, was sentenced to 10 years.
• John Arnaud, 52, of Wentworth Way, Saltash, received an eight-year sentence.

Quinn and Bridson also faced sentences for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, reflecting their deep involvement in the narcotics operation.

The operation, dubbed ‘Operation Modular’, was a collaboration between Cornwall Proactive team and Merseyside Police, aimed at dismantling the supply chain of Class A drugs into East Cornwall. The arrest of the group members on Thursday, 6th July, followed a period of intensive surveillance and intelligence gathering, including monitoring of CCTV footage showing the suspects posting parcels suspected to contain drugs.

During the operation, police executed simultaneous warrants in East Cornwall and Liverpool, capturing key moments on camera, including the attempted disposal of evidence by Stanton and Quinn. Recovered items included approximately 1kg of heroin and a parcel containing a substantial amount of cash.

Searches at various properties linked to the group unearthed further evidence, including drugs, cash, and paraphernalia, solidifying the connections between the individuals and their criminal activities. An expert estimated that the group trafficked around 47kg of heroin into Cornwall over two years, with profits potentially reaching £4million.

Statements from law enforcement officials underscored the operation’s success in disrupting a significant drug supply route into Cornwall. Detective Chief Inspector Ian Jolliff highlighted the operation’s impact on community safety and the importance of inter-force collaboration in tackling organised crime. Detective Sergeant Gerard Farley of Merseyside Police stressed the ongoing commitment to combating county lines drug dealing and the importance of community intelligence in apprehending criminals.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) noted the group’s use of the Royal Mail Parcel Service to transport drugs and illicit earnings, a method aimed at evading detection common in county lines operations. The disruption of this network not only halts the supply of heroin but also impacts a significant cocaine distribution operation, further emphasising the operation’s extensive reach and success.

Law enforcement continues to urge the public to report suspected illegal activities, emphasising the role community information plays in combating drug-related crime and its detrimental effects on society.