Couple posted thousands of dangerous drugs around the world

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/264 ... und-world/

A COUPLE who used postal services to distribute thousands of dangerous drugs across the UK and internationally have been sentenced.

They were snared following an investigation by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU).

One of three parcels of drugs destined for the United States, that were intercepted by the UK Border Force, had been sent from St Helens.

On Monday, July 27, at Liverpool Crown Court, Alexander Pearce, 30, of Sarah's Croft, Liverpool, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply Class A and Class C drugs, and offences relating to the exportation of Class A and Class C controlled drugs.

Lauren Feeney, 28, also of Sarah's Croft, Liverpool, admitted being concerned in the supply of Class C drugs and was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order, a three-month electronic curfew, up to 10 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days, and was ordered to pay £500 costs.

The investigation began after UK Border Force intercepted the three parcels heading for for the United States between March and April 2024.

The first parcel, sent from a Liverpool post office on March 28, 2024, was declared as containing "Organic Multi Vits".

It was seized by the Border Force and subsequently forensically examined, revealing tablets containing the Class A drugs metonitazene and N-pyrrolidino protonitazene.

A second parcel, posted from Sefton on April 19, 2024 and again falsely declared as vitamins, was found to contain more than 1,000 Bromazolam tablets, a Class C controlled drug.

Meanwhile, a third parcel, sent from St Helens on April 24, 2024, contained both Nitazene and Bromazolam tablets.

CCTV inquiries carried out by detectives identified Pearce posting each of the parcels.

The investigation also linked Pearce to a fourth parcel, recovered by Metropolitan Police officers during an unrelated warrant in Kent. The package had the same return address and branding as the other parcels and contained hundreds of tablets later confirmed to be Class A Nitazene drugs.

All four parcels were sent using a "Bestlyfe" label and falsely described the contents as "Organic Multi Vits".

On May 2, 2024, NWROCU officers executed a warrant at the couple's home address in Sarah's Croft, Liverpool.

Inside, officers discovered what was effectively a drugs distribution centre, including computer equipment, large quantities of tablets, packaging materials, postal supplies and labels used to send parcels through UK post offices.

Digital investigations revealed Feeney played an active role in packaging and arranging international shipments. Analysis of her mobile phone showed her involvement in preparing parcels for distribution.

A desktop computer recovered from the address contained multiple Royal Mail tracking searches and a TOR browser commonly used to access the dark web.

In total, officers seized and recovered 146,793 tablets, including 23,930 Nitazene tablets and 122,863 Bromazolam tablets, with an estimated street value of up to £300,000.

Detective Inspector Danny Murphy from the NWROCU’s Operation Team said: "Nitazenes are extremely potent synthetic opioids which have been linked to a growing number of deaths across the UK. Criminals involved in their supply show a complete disregard for the devastating consequences these drugs can have on users, families and communities.

"Pearce and Feeney were operating a significant postal drug distribution network from their home, sending dangerous substances to customers across the UK and overseas while attempting to disguise them as legitimate goods.

"Thanks to the work of our officers, Border Force and the Metropolitan Police, a substantial quantity of harmful drugs has been removed from circulation.

"We will continue to work with partners to identify, disrupt and prosecute those involved in organised crime and the supply of illegal drugs, whether they operate on our streets or online."