New bodycam footage has been released showing the moment officers from the Merseyside Organised Crime Partnership (OCP) arrested Paul Lockyer and his associate James Neary at a property in Liverpool. The footage, dated May 6 last year, shows police entering through a backdoor and finding a sauce pot containing large amounts of cocaine with an electric scale nearby.
Five Years of Results
The release comes as the OCP marks five years since its formation in 2021 as part of the government's 10-year drug strategy. The specialist unit, which combines National Crime Agency and Merseyside Police officers, has convicted 108 criminals for a combined 851 years for offences including drug importation, firearm supply, and money laundering linked to serious and organised crime.
In addition to the convictions, the OCP has taken 33 firearms off the streets, secured the forfeiture of £1.8m in criminal cash, and identified a further £51m in criminal benefit subject to confiscation proceedings. The team has also seized 1,945kg of drugs with a street value of approximately £70m, including 340kg of cannabis, 323kg of heroin, 405kg of cocaine, and 877kg of ketamine.
The ‘Big Fella’ Drug Gang
Paul Lockyer, known to associates as “the big fella”, ran a 24/7 drug gang that offered a special deal on cocaine to mark the release of a Premier League footballer’s kidnapped dad. The group sent a promotional message to more than 9,000 customers reading: “3 for £75 for the next hour to celebrate Luis Diaz dad getting released in the Colombian jungle…” Lockyer and his gang were jailed for more than 63 years.
Michelle Higgins stored large amounts of cocaine at her home on Clock Tower Drive in Walton, where orders were prepared. The newly released bodycam footage shows officers entering her property and discovering the drugs. It is estimated that between October 2023 and May 2025 the gang supplied at least 9.9kg of cocaine, generating more than £620,000 in revenue. Lockyer used the profits to fund a luxury lifestyle including designer jewellery, expensive cars, and holidays aboard private yachts.
Other Major Operations
The OCP also investigated what is believed to be the largest ketamine haul seized by police in the UK. Paul Farrelly was jailed for five years and four months after being caught driving a van filled with 35 sacks of ketamine on the East Lancashire Road on September 16 last year. Each sack weighed 25kg, totalling 875kg with a street value of £17m. The drugs were hidden within a fake stack of kitchen countertops.
Another case involved a family-run drug gang led by Alan Causer, which handled well over £12m. Officers discovered nearly £500,000 in cash at the home of couple Ian Shacklady and Gillian Melville. The gang trafficked hundreds of kilos of heroin and cocaine across the country, with members later receiving a combined total of more than 50 years in jail.
Community Appeals
Jon Hughes, joint head of the Merseyside OCP, said: “We’re committed to protecting the communities of Merseyside, and we will do that through ruthlessly pursuing anyone involved in serious and organised crime that will impact in the communities of Merseyside.” He urged the public to report criminal activity, stating that the team would “tirelessly go after all the assets that have been accrued as part of your criminality.”
Merseyside Police’s Det Supt Tony Roberts said: “Every day we are closing the net on more criminals who are intent on committing serious and organised offences in the area.” He added that officers are using every tactic available to stop drugs and firearms and hitting criminals by depriving them of their illicit profits.
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “These results demonstrate the power of a relentless, coordinated approach to tackling serious and organised crime.” She highlighted the role of communities in providing intelligence, urging anyone with concerns to come forward.
