Four jailed after Leeds-based cocaine and amphetamine production ring dismantled
They were part of a group that sold guns and firearms across the North of England
Last updated 7th Jan 2025
Four men who were part of an organised crime group which sold drugs and firearms across the north have been jailed.
They were part of a gang headed by 39-year-old Carl O'Flaherty, who was previously jailed for 17 years.
The group were arrested after messages they sent on the secure messaging service EncroChat were read by law enforcement.
Between 2019 and 2020 the group bought large quantities of cocaine as well as ingredients to make amphetamines.
These were then converted, at addresses in Leeds and Bradford, into the final product by gang members referred to as 'chefs'.
Michal Stanislawczuk, 39, was one of the chefs and was jailed for 12 years at Leeds Crown Court today after attempting to extract cocaine dissolved in oil.
38-year-old David Brierley has been jailed for 12 and a half years for the production of amphetamine.
57 year old taxi driver Safdar Pervez, who was used as a courier, will serve 11 years for ferrying drugs across the North of England.
During one of the trips he delivered diluted cocaine to 39-year-old Daryll Hall - who has been handed a 15 year sentence.
He is now on the run after failing to appear at a trial in November.
The gang was uncovered when cocaine and an EncroChat handset were seized from ex-footballer Paul Shepherd's car in 2020, with data later showing O'Flaherty wanted him to store guns at his home.
A glock pistol, a bolt action rifle and 213 rounds of ammunition were recovered, with Shepherd being jailed for over 9 years in 2023.
NCA Operations Manager Nigel Coles said: "Our complex and extensive investigation has brought down every member of this dangerous criminal network, from the mastermind behind the conspiracy to couriers transporting both firearms and drugs across the north of England.
"Lengthy custodial sentences have been given to all the ten members of this organised crime group and the investigation has stopped significant quantities of harmful drugs reaching our communities, together with the seizure of deadly firearms.
"At the NCA we are committed to our mission of protecting the public from serious and organised crime, and in dismantling this network we have made our communities a safer place to live."