'Shambolic' cocaine gang jailed for almost 50 years

A judge today branded a gang who plotted to flood north Wales with cocaine a "shambles" as she jailed some members for a total of almost 50 years. She accused ringleader Lee Rigby of being a "mean and cruel bully" who recruited relatives - including his son who only wanted to make his dad "proud". The parent had "thrown his family under the bus".

Rigby senior, a cockle harvester, had presented himself as a legitimate businessman while conspiring to source and supply users with nine kgs of cocaine, as well as ketamine and cannabis. Police used a listening bug in a car and surveillance to crack the ring.

The judge Her Honour Nicola Jones at Caernarfon Crown Court today noted Rigby snr has convictions for violence but also - "somewhat bizarrely" in contrast - for cockle poaching for which he had been fined £3,000.

Handing down the sentences, she said: "This is not an organised crime gang. It's a shambles led by Mr (Lee) Rigby who is a bully, mean and cruel, who brought his son Wesley, who was 17 or 18 (into it).

"All Wesley wanted to do was make his Dad proud. He did it by being the best drug dealer he could be which was all his Dad had ever taught him to do," said the judge, adding drugs are a blight on north Wales.

She said Lee Rigby has eleven convictions for 15 offences including violence and motoring and "somewhat bizarrely" a conviction for cockle poaching leading to a £3,000 fine.

The first part of the sentencing heard Lee Rigby used his half-brother Daniel Carroll, 33, of Englefield Avenue, Connah's Quay, and also "exploited" his 18-year-old son Wesley Rigby, now 21, of Maes Glyndwr, Treuddyn, Mold.

Lee Rigby had deposited proceeds in bank accounts on frequent trips to Thailand, and spent money on property, boats and cars. But the listening bug planted in a vehicle in North Wales helped solve the case.

The judge said Lee Rigby had "thrown his family under the bus".

Their convictions follow a detailed and protracted investigation led by the North Wales Police Serious and Organised Crime Unit.

"Operation Zero" focused on the criminal activities of the gang between December 2022 and November 2023.

During this period, extensive intelligence gathering was undertaken by investigating officers.

The investigation was focused on the day-to-day activities and lifestyles of suspects within the criminal network.

Lee Rigby, 42, of Station Road, Sanycroft, was established as the head of the gang's illicit drug activity, sourcing kilogram quantities of cocaine, ketamine and cannabis from upstream suppliers and organising the selling of the substances on a commercial scale.

Rigby was assisted by his trusted associate, Mark Poh, 42, who lived with Rigby at Station Road, Sandycroft. Poh was responsible for the weighing and packaging of the illegal substances, before the pair would then distribute locally through trusted downstream suppliers.

Daniel Carrroll, 33, of Engfield Avenue, Connah's Quay, Rigby's half-brother, funded the business, providing Rigby with cash to buy the drugs in return for profit.

Carroll would also collect cash on behalf of others for Rigby and use his home as a safe storage for the money.

Rigby's 21-year-old son, Wesley Rigby, of Maes Glyndwr, Treuddyn, and Frank Jones, 35, of Cornist Lane, Flint, were two of Rigby's main downstream suppliers.

Jack Harpur, 31, of Sandy Lane, Deeside, had a varying role within the conspiracy, mainly using his home to store cash and supplying smaller amount of drugs for Poh.

At a hearing at Mold Crown Court on May 12, 2025, Katie Williams, 35, of Deva Avenue, Connah's Quay and Claire Clegg, 43, of Chevrons Road, Shotton, were sentenced for their roles in assisting the gang through storing money in their homes.

Jessica Lett, 38, of Chevrons Road, Shotton, was also sentenced for supplying cocaine and cannabis.

All three were handed a 12-month community order with the condition that they must do 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

Today senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Richard Sidney said: "Drugs ruin lives, blight communities, and bring misery to users and their families.

"This investigation has dismantled an established supply network within Flintshire and that is testament to the diligent police work and specialist skills of a large team of officers working within our Serious and Organised Crime team.

"Today's outcome should act as a strong deterrent to anyone involved in drug supply, and a reminder that that we will continue to take decisive action to dismantle organised crime and associated criminal networks.

"Tackling drug supply will remain a priority for North Wales Police, but we cannot do this without the continued assistance of our communities.

"If you have information on the supply of drugs in your area, please get in touch, or report if anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers so we can take action."

The sentences

• Lee Rigby, 42, of Station Road, Sandycroft, was jailed for 16 years and three months for conspiring to supply class A drugs.
• Mark Poh, 42, of Charter View, Sandycroft, was jailed for 14 years for conspiring to supply class A drugs.
• Frank Jones, 35, of Rose Mount, Flint, was jailed for five years and ten months for conspiring to supply class A drugs.
• Stephen Lowe, 32, of Woodfield Avenue, Flint, was also jailed for five years and ten months for conspiring to supply class A drugs.
• Adam Hill, 39, of Upper Aston Hall Lane, Hawarden, was jailed for five years and eight months for conspiring to supply cocaine.
• Wesley Rigby, 21, of Maes Glyndwr, Treuddyn, Mold, was given a two year jail term suspended for two years for conspiring to supply class A drugs. He must also do 20 days of rehabilitation activity. The judge said he had been "trying to make his Dad proud of you."
• Jack Harpur, 31, of Sandy Lane, Sandycroft, was also give a two year jail term suspended for two years for conspiring to supply class A drugs.
• Daniel Carroll, 33, of Englefield Avenue, Connah's Quay, was given a 16 month jail term suspended for two years for concealing, disguising, converting, transferring or removing criminal property. He must also do 20 days of rehabilitation activity.