12 behind bars following major drug trafficking operation

12 people from the Isle of Man and the UK have been put behind bars for their involvement in a major drug trafficking operation.

It comes following a three-year operation - ‘Operation Achilles’ - which saw Police seize nearly £100,000 worth of drugs and more than £50,000 of criminal cash.

The operation predominantly focussed on the Isle of Man and Merseyside based Organised crime group, importing both Class ‘A’ and ‘B’ drugs to the Island’s most vulnerable.

The leader of the crime group – Kyle Molyneux (who’s also known as Kyle Johnson) was jailed this week for 20 years.

Police have confirmed Mr Johnson had access to a number of illicit SIM cards whereby call data linked him to all of the above individuals who were all part of the same Organised Crime Group.

Detective Inspector Jamie Tomlinson from the Drug & Organised Crime Unit has commented Mr Johnson was the ‘ringleader’ and ‘ran this criminal enterprise from his prison cell.’

He did this whilst on remand for a previous drug importation, by arranging for heroin, cocaine and cannabis to be shipped to Manx shores.

Detective Inspector Jamie Tomlinson from the Drug & Organised Crime Unit commented: ‘prior to being incarcerated, Kyle Johnson used violence, exploitation and intimidation in order to sustain his criminal lifestyle. I believe the sentence imposed on him is the longest ever given by the Courts, which reflects the seriousness and sophistication of the group and the major role he played which ultimately led to his liberty being taken from him for a substantial period of time.’

A timeline of operation Achilles:

• The operation begin in February 2020, when Officers seized 55 grams of heroin and 127 grams of what was almost pure cocaine within the postal system. These drugs were sent from Liverpool to a vulnerable female (Sophia RUSSELL) here on the island, she was convicted for her involvement in this importation.
• In May of that year, a parcel was intercepted at the IOM Post Sorting Office, which contained 166 grams of Cannabis. Also in May, a parcel was intercepted in Liverpool, that when opened, was found to have 242 grams of heroin within. This package was addressed to a juvenile living in the South of the island, during the Covid pandemic.
• Meanwhile, a Merseyside based male (Matthew HENWOOD) was identified as the sender of all packages and was subsequently arrested following the Covid border restrictions easing. He is currently serving a significant custodial sentence having been responsible for sending nearly one kilo of Class A drugs to the island.
• In January 2021, the Constabulary intercepted £34,095.00 in cash, secreted in a mobile burger van destined for the Merseyside area. A UK based male and an island resident (Lee LITTLE) were both charged with money laundering offences.
• In July 2021, two males (James QUAYLE and Niall CROWE) were detained in the North of the island and found to be in possession of a large quantity of heroin (276 grams) which had astreet value of £69,200.00. They too are now serving long custodial sentences.
• In August 2021, a female (Kirsty QUILLIAM) living in Douglas took possession of a microwave oven which had been delivered to her address. This had been sent from the UK and hidden within its mechanism was 248 grams of cocaine. This had a street value of £24,780.00. It was later collected by a local man (Thomas McBURNIE) who was apprehended leaving the area and subsequently convicted for his part. Another local man was also linked to this package and he too was arrested and eventually pleaded guilty to his part in the importation. In addition, phone data proved that Kyle JOHNSON was again involved. Evidence gathered indicated that Kyle JOHNSON, an inmate within IOM prison was orchestrating the drugs coming into the island from his prison cell and a distribution network thereafter along with the collection of monies.
• In September 2021, an enforcer from Merseyside (Shaun BUCKLEY) arrived on the island to collect drug debts. He too was apprehended, convicted of money laundering offences, and was sent to prison. He was here seeking another local man (Philip  NYAMANDE) who was detained by Officers and found to have £9620.00 hidden in his underwear.  NYAMANDE was also found to be communicating with Kyle JOHNSON whilst he (JOHNSON) sat in his prison cell. Both NYAMANDE and JOHNSON have been convicted for conspiracy to commit money laundering offences as a result.
• During September 2021, Prison Officers searched JOHNSONS prison cell. They located a prison issue mobile phone with an illicit SIM card therein. This was subsequently linked to the other individuals involved in this Operation and it was clear JOHNSON was the main orchestrator and the link between all of these individuals. The investigation also highlighted the level  of criminal activity that JOHNSON undertook prior to going to prison. It showed his involvement in  the production of just under half a kilogram of Class ‘A’ controlled drugs to the island and also  evidences him partaking in drug supply, money laundering, enforcement based violence, intimidation, exploitation of vulnerable persons, organisation of drug shipments, and the lifestyle  that he lived as a result of his criminal endeavours. The investigation provided irrefutable evidence of  his criminal activities.

Police state: “As a result of this lengthy and wide ranging investigation into an Organised Crime   Group which spans both the Isle of Man and the North West of England, twelve individuals have been given lengthy custodial sentences having pleaded guilty to a wide range of serious drug,  conspiracy and money laundering offences. More importantly nearly half a kilogram of heroin has been seized and stopped from being supplied – that is in the region of 3230 separate street deals.”

Sentences:

Kyle Brian MOLYNEUX (IOM) – 20 years

Matthew HENWOOD (UK) – 11 years

Sophia RUSSELL (IOM) – 3yrs 8 months

Other UK male – 2 years 1 month

Lee LITTLE (IOM) – 2yrs 3 months

James QUAYLE (IOM) – 8.5 years

Niall CROWE (IOM) – 5yrs 10 months

Kirsty QUILLIAM (IOM) – 5yrs 8 months

Thomas McBURNIE (IOM) – 7yrs 10 Months

Shaun BUCKLEY (UK) – 9 months.

Philip NYAMANDE (IOM) – 9 months

Chief Constable Russ Foster KPM stated:

“This is a welcome sentence and highlights that the Isle of Man Judicial system recognises the threat, harm and risks that controlled drugs and organised criminality poses to the island. The quality of this proactive investigation has been truly outstanding and is a warning to all those involved in organised criminality. The professionalism, commitment and tenacity of the officers involved in bringing these perpetrators to justice is second to none. We will continue to do everything we possibly can to make the Isle of Man a hostile environment for these criminal networks to thrive and I am absolutelycommitted to investing resources to tackle serious and organised criminality.”

Kyle Johnson/Molyneux