ANTHONY Cullen used his ‘notorious reputation’ in Warrington to control a sophisticated drugs ring operating across the north west.

Last week, Liverpool Crown Court heard how Cullen was not afraid to deploy ‘intimidation and violence’ to maintain control over the ring and to threaten those who owed debts. More here. 

Cullen, 31, of Colemere Close, Padgate, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and conspiracy to supply class B and was convicted by a jury of conspiracy to supply firearms and conspiracy to supply or transfer ammunition.

A dealers’ list discovered by police noted how there was a ‘wage bill’ for employees of £50,000 per month.

Warrington Guardian:

PICTURED: The dealers' list 

Judge Gary Woodhall said: “It is also clear to me from text messages and tick lists that those further down the chain of command, either had properties provided for them or had their rent paid.”

Sentencing Cullen to 27 years in prison, the judge said: “Anthony Cullen, you were a director and controller of the drugs business relying on your notorious reputation. You were aware of police investigations and tried to flee the country.

“You were involved throughout the whole conspiracy – you remained physically distant from the drugs and firearms hiring others to do the work.

“You played a leading role.”

Judge Woodhall told Cullen he would be absent from his young daughter’s life but he only had himself to blame.

He added: “You have a single highly-relevant conviction for conspiracy to supply cocaine and that conviction is a significant aggravating feature of this case.”

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Warrington Guardian:

PICTURED: The lethal stash of weapons seized by police

At the age of 24, Cullen was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison after taking over a drugs business.

Seven other members of his team were also jailed at Warrington Crown Court in 2012 after admitting supplying and distributing class A drugs in Warrington and the surrounding area.

The gang were jailed for a combined total of 31 years.

Operation Knock followed Operation Cortex which saw 18 men locked up for almost 100 years in March just months earlier.

Speaking at the time of the hearing, DI Kev Bennett, of Cheshire Police’s Force Crime Operations Unit who led the operation, revealed how the gang had conspired to produce and distribute illegal drugs for their own gain.

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He said: “The drugs were produced inside a caravan at a site in Rixton – this was a sophisticated set up and was capable of producing a large quantity of illegal drugs.

“Members of the gang have shown a blatant disregard for the law – with little or no thought behind the potential implications of their illegal activities.”

In a hearing later that year, six members of a drugs gang were ordered to pay back almost £80,000 by the courts – but they could only pay around £2,500.

Cullen was ordered to pay back £29,762 – but his legal team told the court that he could only £675 at that time.