Chorley gang in cocaine drugs plot jailed for 33 years in total (From Chorley Citizen)

Chorley gang in cocaine drugs plot jailed for 33 years in total

12:20pm Tuesday 17th January 2012 in Chorley By Chris Gee, Reporter

STASH Drugs and drug paraphernalia found at the home address of Daniel McCarthy

FIVE men have been jailed for a total of 33 years and one month for their part in a drugs plot to supply cocaine in Lancashire.

They were sentenced yesterday following a police operation which was carried out between July and September 2010.

Four of the men had earlier pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Mark Snape, 26, of Buchanan Street, Chorley was sentenced to six years in prison.

He was also given a one year prison sentence which is to run consecutive for a burglary in Eccleston.

Paul Smith, 28, of Brookside Close, Leyland, who previously lived on Marine Close, Buckshaw Village, was jailed for eight years and three months.

Phillip Elleray, 31, of Abbotts Close, Walton-le-Dale, was sentenced to nine years and four months in prison.

David Dawson, 28, of Brown-edge Road, Bamber Bridge, was given a five year and six month custodial sentence.

A fifth man, Daniel McCarthy, 28, formerly of Brampton Drive, Bamber Bridge, had earlier pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and was jailed for four years. David Dawson was arrested in Chorley on August 9, 2010.

He had cocaine with an estimated street value of around £3,000 in his possession along with £3,600 in cash.

Police subsequently carried out searches of addresses linked to Dawson, including the home address of Daniel McCarthy.

Just under a kilo of cocaine, with an estimated street value of £30,000, was seized. And in September 2010, Mark Snape was arrested in his car near the railway crossing in Brindle Lane, Bamber Bridge.

Cocaine with an estimated street value of £3,000 was found in his possession and subsequently seized.

Shortly after Snape was arrested, Paul Smith was arrested near Severn Drive in Bamber Bridge.

Cocaine worth around £1,100 was seized from him along with £290 in cash.

Further police enquiries led to the arrest of Phillip Elleray in November 2010.

Det Sgt John Roy of Chorley CID said: “This operation put a stop to around £40,000 worth of cocaine being dealt on our streets. It was an organised conspiracy.

“It saw these men co-ordinating a sophisticated criminal plot.

“A number of theses criminals were driving around in expensive performance cars and living in large homes without a legitimate income which is an affront to our community.”