An armed forces veteran has been jailed for 13 years and two months for playing a "crucial role" in a plot to import drugs worth an estimated £11.7 million into the UK. Michael Orr, 48, of York Road in Huyton, admitted conspiracy to import heroin, cocaine, ketamine and cannabis.
18 deliveries across two sites
Liverpool Crown Court heard that, between September 2024 and July 2025, an estimated 10 consignments of drugs were delivered to an industrial unit at Clarendon Court in Warrington, with a further eight delivered to another warehouse on Shaw Road in Speke. The operation was said to have been spearheaded by a Northern Ireland-based man named Matthew Corry, who remains at large.
Nicola Daley, prosecuting, described how Orr was identified as being involved in logistics on the ground in the North West. ANPR cameras showed that a Mercedes Vito van registered to his address had visited the area of the two units on 27 separate occasions.
Final shipment seized
A final shipment of drugs, seized at Immingham Docks in Lincolnshire, had been due to be collected by a Mercedes Sprinter vehicle. That vehicle was later found parked outside Orr's home when he was arrested on July 26 this year. The consignment, intercepted on July 3 2025, contained 20kg of cocaine, 5kg of heroin and 321kg of ketamine, with a combined estimated street value of £11.7m.
Cell siting evidence showed Orr's phone had been present at "key times" when shipments were delivered to the industrial estates. The Warrington unit had been rented under the name of his deceased friend and housemate Gregory Beattie, with Orr's mobile number given as the contact details. He was also found to have taken several trips to Ireland by ferry in the days before 344kg of cannabis resin, bound for the Speke warehouse, was intercepted by the French authorities on May 25 last year.
Court hears of role and background
Jason Smith, defending, told the court that Orr's involvement began following Mr Beattie's death, with his role having been to "watch over the warehouses and ensure they were safe and secure", as well as to act as a driver and collect items as instructed. Orr previously served in the King's Regiment in Northern Ireland before being dishonourably discharged due to cocaine use, and later worked in the construction industry.
Sentencing, Judge Kevin Slack said: "In my judgement, it is plain that you played a significant role in these conspiracies. You may not have been involved in the setting up of the conspiracy, but you were clearly involved from an early stage."
The judge added: "Your counsel says that your primary role was to watch over the warehouses and ensure they were secure and safe. This was a crucial role. If the warehouses could not be kept safe and secure, the conspiracies risked unravelling."
Judge Slack continued: "You must have appreciated that you were involving yourself in conspiracies to import extremely large quantities of drugs. I find that you must have had an expectation of significant financial advantage, or else why involve yourself in these enterprises? You must have had some awareness of the scale of the operation."
In mitigation, the judge noted that Orr had earned enhanced status while on remand, had undertaken a number of courses, and had been drug-free for the longest period since the age of 20. He said: "Please make sure that, when you are released, you steer clear from cocaine. For your family's sake, as well as your own, keep up the good work that you have started in custody."
