Ten members of a drugs gang who enjoyed a lavish lifestyle, including spa days, have been jailed for a total of 52 years for supplying cocaine. The group was headed by kingpin Paddy Nolan, 29, who sourced multiple kilos of cocaine and brought it to Lancashire for distribution.
Wholesale amounts of cocaine were moved around East Lancashire by the gang, which had a clear hierarchy. Those at the top ran the network, sourced the drugs, and arranged for others to supply to users. They also ensured money owed by buyers was collected.
An investigation by the East Targeted Crime Unit found that Nolan, of Hallam Road, Nelson, amassed significant wealth and had access to large amounts of cash, allowing him to live a “lavish lifestyle”. He was pictured at a spa day with fellow gang members Ross Boys, 29, Matthew Waterworth, 34, and Regan Burnie, 34.
Darren Mott, 47, was the gang’s cash courier. On November 14 2024, he was seen carrying a large rucksack in Nolan’s company. When the car he transferred to was stopped by officers, £100,000 cash was found in his rucksack.
All ten members appeared at Burnley Crown Court on Friday, May 22, for sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine. Chief Insp Sarah Denson of Lancashire Police said: “This gang made significant amounts of money peddling drugs on our streets but despite their best efforts to cover their tracks and to evade capture are now behind bars.”
