A ST HELENS man has been jailed as part of a drugs gang which flooded the streets of Blackpool with class A drugs.

Steven Duxbury, whose last known address was McCormack Avenue, Parr was jailed for three years and two months at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine after working as a 'runner' for the gang.

Duxbury was one of 15 drug gang members who were sentenced to a total of 66 years between them. 

The Merseyside-based organised crime group, known as 'Scouse Macca', supplied heroin and crack cocaine in Blackpool.

Police launched Operation Kaleidoscope, which ran from August 1, 2015 to December 16, 2015 to target the group, which supplied customers through the use of a main telephone number that users would associate with the group and called to order drugs.

The buyer would be directed to a location to meet with the 'runner' who would supply the drugs.

The phone spent the majority of time in Liverpool during the operation.

Duxbury was the only Merseyside-based 'runner' in the gang. 

Sentences were passed on the very conservative estimate of 18,000 deals being carried out during the 144-day conspiracy, with the ‘Macca’ phone receiving on average 357 calls a day. 

The nearly five-month operation concluded as officers executed search warrants in Lancashire and Liverpool in December 2015.

At the Liverpool home of John Paul Hodson, who was head of the gang, 308 wraps of heroin were recovered along with cash, phones and other items. 

The drugs were packaged into ‘street’ deals and were ready to be taken back to Blackpool to be supplied.

In total, 16 people were charged with conspiring together to supply crack cocaine and heroin in Blackpool.  Eleven pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court and five pleaded not guilty.

A four-week trial took place at Preston Crown Court in February and four out of the five defendants were convicted of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Detective Chief Inspector Becky Smith, of Blackpool CID, said: “I am really pleased with the sentences which follow a long and complex investigation into this OCG and its activities.

“This operation has dismantled a gang responsible for the supply of hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of Class A drugs, namely Heroin and Crack Cocaine, into Blackpool. Their activities brought misery to those addicted to drugs and their loved ones.”

Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner, added:  "This operation has led to 15 dangerous drug dealers being locked up for a total of 66 years. I hope this sends a clear message to those who are getting involved in drug crime that the police have the resources, skills and determination to crack organisations like this and bring their members to justice.

The other sentences passed were as follows:

John Paul Hodson, 32, of Marmion Avenue, Liverpool, who was head of the gang and had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine was jailed for nine years.

Antonia Coughlin, 31, of Marmion Avenue, Liverpool, who is Hodson’s partner and pleaded guilty to allowing premises to be used for the supply of heroin and crack cocaine. She was given a 20-month suspended sentence.

Trevor Pollard, 34, whose last known address is Butleigh Road, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and proceeds of crime act offences and was jailed for eight years, plus one year for POCA to run consecutively.

Ben Fraser, 34, whose last known address is Bishop Road, Liverpool was the 'middle man' in Blackpool and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine, was jailed for seven years.

Terence Pollard, 61, a principal member who was Hodson's right hand man  and owner of a 'safe house' on Cheltenham Road, Blackpool, was convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and sentenced to seven and a half years.

Ryan Jones, 20, whose last known address is Bolton Road, Westhoughton was a 'runner' and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and was sentenced to four years and four months.

Stuart Pothecary, 35, whose last known address is Boscombe Road, Blackpool, was a 'runner' convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and jailed for four years and six months.

George Findlay, 36, formerly of Cookson Street, Blackpool, was a 'runner' convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and jailed for four years and six months.

Christopher Arrandale, 36, whose last known address is Fisher Street, Blackpool was a 'runner' and pleaded guilty to supplying heroin and crack cocaine and was jailed for 30 months

Alan Sprague, 36, whose last known address is Knowle Avenue, Blackpool was a 'runner' who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and sentenced for two years and 11 months.

Daniel Sampson, 20, whose last known address is Osborne Road, Blackpool, was a 'runner' convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and sentenced to three years and 10 months.

Susan Yates, 47, whose last known address is Foxhall Road, Blackpool was a 'runner' who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine. She failed to appear and a warrant was issued for her arrest.

Martin Corallo, 29, whose last known address is Cheltenham Road, Blackpool was a driver and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and sentenced for two years.

Wayne Bromley, 31, whose last known address is King Edward Avenue, Blackpool was a driver. He pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine and was jailed for five years and eight months.