Support our Nation today - please donate here
News

Five members of organised crime group get 57-year sentence

07 Sep 2024 3 minute read
(From left to right) Steven Creasey, 67, Kevin Thomson, 45, Jeffrey Hickson, 61, Christopher Heaney, Christopher Brannan, 38. Photo: Tarian

Stanley Murphy-Johns

Five members of an organised crime group responsible for trafficking approximately £7,000,000 worth of heroin around the UK received sentences totalling 57 years and 2 months at Cardiff Crown Court this week.

The five men were brought before the Court following an investigation led by Tarian, the Regional Organised Crime Unit for southern Wales.

The operation began when Tarian 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 compartment was found under his passenger seat along with 5 kilograms of Heroin and 1 kilogram of Adulterant. A burner phone connecting Creasey to other members of the organised crime group (OCG) was also found on his person.

Tarian’s subsequent investigation suggested that Creasey was a Cardiff-based professional courier who had been contacted 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.

Brannan would then launder the proceeds through his partner, Kirsty Murphy’s, bank account.

Raids were carried out at the home addresses of all of the defendants. They uncovered expensive jewellery, Heroin, Cocaine, Adulterants, Opium, Cannabis Grows, and Metal Moulds for pressing powder into blocks.

Tarian Officer, Detective Constable Rhys Richards, said: “This OCG spread misery across the United Kingdom for their own financial benefit. Justice has now caught up with them.

“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.”

Sentences

All five defendants pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to supply heroin prior to trial. The following sentences were passed on Wednesday, September 4.

Christopher Brannan, 38, of 15 Sanderman Road, Walton, Liverpool was sentenced to 18-years and 5-months in prison.

Christopher Heaney, 47, of 6B Cunzie Street, Anstruther, Fife has been sentenced to 9-years and 5-months in prison.

Jeffrey Hickson, 61, of 1 Brewery Street, Blyth, Northumberland has been sentenced to 10-years and 4-months in prison.

Kevin Thomson, 45, of 44 Inchgall Avenue, Crosshill, Lochgelly, Fife has been sentenced to 6-years and 10-months in prison

Steven Creasey, 67, of 7 Allerton Street, Grangetown, Cardiff, has been sentenced to 12-years and 7-months in prison.

Brannan’s partner Kirsty Murphy, 36, was charged with the production of cannabis and arranging the retention of criminal property. She was sentenced to 6 months, suspended for 18 months.


Support our Nation today

For the price of a cup of coffee a month you can help us create an independent, not-for-profit, national news service for the people of Wales, by the people of Wales.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Our Supporters

All information provided to Nation.Cymru will be handled sensitively and within the boundaries of the Data Protection Act 2018.