North Wales-linked drug gang sentenced after police sting

Three men have been sentenced for their roles in a sophisticated drug operation spanning Cheshire, Merseyside, and north Wales.

Paul Ibell, 43, Sean Mooney, 42, and Edward Kaye, 30, used their painting and decorating business as a cover while running a large-scale cannabis supply network.

Their operation was exposed following a long-running police investigation, codenamed Operation Leonardo, which uncovered links to an Albanian organised crime group.

Cheshire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) began investigating the group after intelligence from the encrypted messaging service EncroChat revealed Ibell was involved in the bulk supply of cocaine and cannabis. Between March and June 2020, he is believed to have sold at least 43 kilos of cannabis and up to three kilos of cocaine.

A second phase of the operation, launched in 2023, revealed that Ibell and Mooney had continued their criminal enterprise, running a sophisticated supply chain that included a cannabis farm in Gresford, Wrexham.

Kaye was recruited to help maintain the farm, while the gang also stored drugs in rural stash houses in Balderton, Chester, and Ellesmere Port.

When police executed warrants at the group’s properties, they discovered over 60 cannabis plants, large quantities of drugs, cash, and paraphernalia linked to drug supply.

Investigators estimate that the gang sold at least 200 kilos of cannabis across the region.

The men were arrested during a strike day on Wednesday 6 March 2024 and subsequently charged with conspiracy to supply class B drugs (cannabis).

Ibell was also charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply cannabis in relation to EncroChat evidence.

The men pleaded guilty to all charges put to them.

They appeared at Chester Crown Court today, Wednesday 26 February, where they were sentenced for their roles in the supply of illegal drugs.

Ibell was sentenced to 16 years in prison, Mooney was sentenced to five years, and Kaye was sentenced to three years and four months.

Following the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Nick Henderson, of Cheshire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, said:

“These men were operating at a sophisticated level, selling multi-kilo drug supplies while living luxuriously on their illegal proceeds.

“Their attempts to conceal their drugs conspiracy through “legitimate” business ventures had them believing they were untouchable.

“They had no idea our team were one step ahead, working behind the scenes gathering evidence in order to put them before the courts.

“Along with their own production, Ibell and Mooney sourced their drugs from Albanian OCG’s who supplied them with bulk amounts of cannabis.

“Operation Leonardo has since dismantled a Chester based OCG, who sold substantial quantities of illegal drugs to well-established organised criminals in Cheshire, Merseyside and north Wales.

“We have also targeted an Albanian OCG which operates on a national scale, seizing six courier vehicles, £120,000 worth of cannabis, and have made a number of arrests for drug supply and immigration offences.

“I hope the conclusion of this case, and the lengthy prison sentences handed to Ibell, Mooney, and Kaye, reassures the community that we are committed to tackling organised criminals and their illegal drugs activity and if anyone has any concerns about this happening in their neighbourhood, they should get in touch with us through our website or by calling 101.

“You can also report information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”