A group of spa-loving drug gang members who splashed their cash on lavish lifestyles have been locked up after peddling cocaine on our streets. Ten members of the gang have been sentenced to a collective total of more than 52 years behind bars. Pictures show some grinning in white bathrobes during a spa trip, while another image shows mountains of cash bundled up on a table after police swooped on the operation.
Kingpin and his network
At the top of the racket was kingpin Paddy Nolan, 29, who sourced multiple kilograms of cocaine from outside of Lancashire before distributing it through his network of dealers. Detectives from Lancashire Police uncovered evidence showing that Nolan had amassed significant wealth and had access to huge amounts of cash from the drugs conspiracy.
Key lieutenants
Among Nolan’s trusted lieutenants was Ross Boys, 29, who supplied mid-level amounts of cocaine to other dealers across East Lancashire. Another key player, Darren Mott, 47, acted as the gang’s cash courier – making repeated trips between Manchester and Lancashire while carrying drug money.
On November 14, 2024, police saw him carrying a rucksack while meeting Nolan before travelling in his car. Mott then transferred to another car and when it was stopped, £100,000 cash was found in his rucksack. Nolan, Boys and Mott were among those arrested on December 2, 2024. More of the gang were arrested later the same month, and others in January 2025.
Sentencing
The gang all admitted conspiracy to supply cocaine and were sentenced at Burnley crown court last Friday. Chief Insp Sarah Denson 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. We will continue to tackle those who bring harm to our communities by dealing in illegal drugs by dismantling these gangs and putting those involved before the courts.”
Nolan, from Nelson, Lancashire, was jailed for a total of 11 years and eight months. Boys, of Burnley, was sentenced to seven years and six months. Mott, from Manchester, was jailed for six years and nine months.
Other sentences
- Matthew Waterworth, 34, from Burnley: five years
- Regan Burnie, 34, from Burnley: four years and 11 months
- Aaron Cormack, 31, from Burnley: three years and nine months
- Luke Barritt, 37, from Burnley: three years and eight months
- Leon Canning, 27, from Burnley: three years and two months
- Jacob Dewhurst, 29, from Burnley: three years and two months
- Jamie Howes, 29, of Padiham, Lancs: three years and one month
The group were jailed for a composite total of 52 years. Chief Insp Denson added: “I’d like to thank the hard work and dedication of the East Targeted Crime Unit who brought down the gang and brought them to justice.”
