A Southport man has been jailed for 11 years for his role in a major organised crime group responsible for distributing cocaine across the UK. Matthew Rick, 39, of Rimmer Green, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs on Tuesday, November 3.
Operation Acropolis Investigation
Rick was sentenced under Operation Acropolis, a long-running and complex investigation led by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU). Officers dismantled the network headed by Jack Donegan, who directed the distribution of cocaine and ketamine through a trusted team of couriers and associates.
The organised crime group's reach extended throughout the North West of England and beyond, supplying customers as far afield as Derby, London, and Great Yarmouth.
Controller Role in the Network
Rick was a controller within the OCG, directing Kieran Sydenham with deliveries throughout the UK including Manchester, Liverpool, Bradford, and London. He would then arrange for the collection of cash to be brought back to the North West region.
Sydenham, a trusted courier for the OCG, would often report back to Rick with images of the drug deliveries and collection of cash. He was sentenced earlier this year and was jailed for six years.
Police Comment on the Sentence
Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Wild from NWROCU Operations Team said: "Rick played a significant role in a sophisticated organised crime network responsible for distributing large quantities of Class A drugs across not only the North West but across the UK.
"His actions helped facilitate the movement of both drugs and criminal profits on a large scale.
"This sentence reflects the seriousness of his offending and demonstrates our continued commitment to identifying, disrupting and dismantling organised crime groups who profit from the misery and harm caused by illegal drugs."
