Nine involved in drugs conspiracy jailed

Nine members of an organised crime group who aspired to flood the North East with cocaine and heroin and armed themselves with firearms have been jailed for a combined total of more than seven decades.

Northumbria Police uncovered the conspiracy after infiltrating the offenders ‘Encrochat’ encrypted messaging – revealing the illicit trade of more than 63 kilos of cocaine with a wholesale value in excess of £2.3 million, six kilos of heroin and more than 50 cannabis plants, with £44,000 in criminal cash also seized.

The encrypted messages also showed a number of conspirators discussing the possession and storage of firearms between March and July 2020.

Anthony Wilson and Michael Wakenshaw ran the operation by orchestrating the distribution and sales of drugs across our region.

Alan McLaughlin, Jesse McIver, Scott Fawcett, Daniel Chambers and Joseph Mole all acted as trusted associates and played a variety of roles in the conspiracy such as storage men, couriers, cash collectors, and drug testers.

Whilst investigating, officers discovered another conspiracy involving Fawcett and Chambers. Mark Baird and David Emmerson acted as the pair’s trusted associates by handling cash and the storage of the illicit goods.

A third conspiracy was uncovered following further investigation, which led to the discovery of a cannabis farm at an address on Moorcroft Close in the Denton area of Newcastle.

The farm was being managed by Thomas Foggin on behalf of Wilson and Wakenshaw. A firearm and ammunition were also discovered at the property.

Following a comprehensive and long-running investigation, the men were arrested and subsequently charged with a string of conspiracy offences.

Faced with overwhelming evidence: Fawcett, Chambers, Emmerson, Baird, McIver and Wakenshaw pleaded guilty to a number of charges at Newcastle Crown Court in August and September 2024.

Wakenshaw pleaded guilty to firearms offences on the first day of his trial in October last year.

Wilson fled the UK in 2024 and was extradited from Spain in November 2025 with support from our national and international partners. He pleaded guilty in December. 

McLaughlin and Foggin were convicted after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court in November 2025.

They appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on Thursday and Friday where they were sentenced to the following:

• Fawcett, 37, of Kirkley Road, Shiremoor, pleaded guilty to four counts of conspiracy to supply Class A (cocaine, heroin and ecstasy), one count of conspiracy to supply Class B (cannabis), one count of possession of a firearm, one count of possession of ammunition and one count of possession of a criminal property. He was sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment.
• Chambers, 48, of Kirkbride Place, Cramlington, pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to supply class A (Cocaine, Heroin and Ecstasy) and one supply of conspiracy to supply class B (cannabis). He was sentenced to eight years behind bars.
• Emmerson, 48 of Meadow Road, Lemington, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to supply class A (cocaine). He was locked up for four years and eight months.
• Baird, 36 of Linnel Drive, Lemington, pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to supply class A (Cocaine, Heroin and Ecstasy). He was sentenced to four years and eight months.
• Wakenshaw, 40, of Leabank, Lemington, pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial to one count of conspiracy to supply class A (cocaine), one count of producing class B (cannabis) and one count of possession of a firearm. He was sentenced to 10 years and four months’ imprisonment.
• McLaughlin, 49, of Tyne Street, Chopwell was found guilty at trial of one count of conspiracy to supply class A (cocaine). He was sentenced to seven years behind bars.
• McIver, 27, of Briarwood Crescent, Newcastle Upon-Tyne, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to supply class A (cocaine). He was locked up for six years.
• Wilson, 35, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to one count of producing class B (cannabis), one count of possession of a firearm and one count of possession of ammunition. He was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment.
• Foggin, 38 of no fixed abode, was convicted of one count of producing class B (cannabis), one count of one count of possession of a firearm and one count of possession of ammunition. He was sentenced to five years behind bars.

Following the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Marc Michael, of Northumbria Police, said:

This illicit network sought to profit from the trade of kilos of destructive illegal substances.

This was a complex investigation, and I would like to thank officers for their hard work in achieving this result.

There is no hiding place for drug dealers in the North East and beyond and these criminals are now facing substantial sentences behind bars.

Firearms and drugs are key drivers of serious organised crime, and their presence on our street’s fuels violence, exploitation, and community harm. 

I am delighted we have been able to remove dangerous offenders from our streets for a significant period of time.  This sends a clear message – we will relentlessly pursue those who threaten the safety and wellbeing of our communities.

These latest sentences represent the latest success for Operation Sentinel – our dedicated initiative tackling serious and organised crime in our region.

Criminal networks such as these often seek to profit from the most vulnerable members of our communities before reinvesting their money into further illegal enterprises. 

Anyone with any reports on suspicious activity or concerns should always report them to us – no matter how small or insignificant it may seem.

Anyone with information should send us a direct message on social media, use the live chat on our website or complete a crime update form. www.northumbria.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/

For those who are unable to contact us those ways, call 101.