Sentencing highlights illegal drug links between Island and UK

25-year-old Leroy Stephen McHarrie was jailed for 21 years and nine months

"We will identify you, and then we will come for you."

That's the message from the Isle of Man Constabulary to those involved with illegal drug activity in any shape or form here on the island, or to anyone in the UK who is prepared to assist in sending drugs here.

It follows the sentencing of Leroy Stephen McHarrie - who was jailed for 21 years and nine months this week.

The 25-year-old was described as the local link to a pre-existing criminal network on Merseyside.

His sentencing means the conclusion of the Isle of Man Constabulary's 'Operation Trident'.

Officers from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit stopped a BMW at the Sea Terminal on 6 June 2022 which had arrived in Douglas on the evening sailing from Liverpool.

They found 3,920.95g of cannabis in 20 packages, worth over £78,000, behind the rear interior panels of the vehicle.

They also found a further 999.56g of cocaine, worth between £100,000 and £142,000.

The driver of the car was found to be an independent vehicle recovery agent hired by Merseyside man James Spotswood, who was serving a sentence in Walton Prison for other offences committed on the Isle of Man.

Prior to arriving on the Island, the BMW had been collected from an MOT and Fast Fit Centre owned by Kurt Hughes in Merseyside.

Hughes was subsequently forensically linked to the cannabis and cocaine packages found within the vehicle.

Another Merseyside man, Daniel Graham Moody, was also forensically linked to the seized drugs and Darryl Thomas was found to have assisted in the movements of the BMW in the UK prior to the importation and could also be linked to Spotswood.

Meanwhile, here on the Island, two local men - McHarrie and Matthew James Woods - were involved in the importation.

Following McHarrie's sentencing, Detective Inspector Jamie Tomlinson of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit said: "Those involved in this criminality sent this vehicle packed with drugs during the busy TT period when policing was stretched to the limit, probably in the hope that it would get in undetected. 

"Following this significant seizure, officers worked tirelessly in order to track down those involved, hence these individuals being brought to justice. McHarrie, in particular, committed his drug activity with impunity.

"This Operation again highlights the illegal drug links the island has to criminals in the North West area, particularly Merseyside. 

"Our message is clear to those involved with illegal drug activity in any shape or form here on the island, or to anyone in the UK who is prepared to assist in sending drugs here that we will identify you and then we will come for you. 

"You can expect significant custodial sentences here on island as can be seen in this case."

He added: "The work being undertaken by the Constabulary and our partner agencies at the ports is making it even more difficult for criminals to bring their illegal commodities into our island.

"I would like to give the highest praise for the officers in this case and the prosecution team who relentlessly pursued these offenders."

Whilst the Serious and Organised Crime Unit was undertaking Operation Trident, the Isle of Man Constabulary’s Economic Crime Unit was also undertaking 'Operation Aphrodite', a money laundering investigation.

Officers identified a number of further suspects who were involved in the laundering of the funds generated by the sale of the drugs that had been imported into the Isle of Man. 

This was believed to have been in the region of £1.3 million.

McHarrie was identified as working alongside Debbie Kidger-Preston, Mark Lucas and Muhammed Hoosen.

They used various means and numerous bank accounts to hide and transfer the funds to a wider criminal network within the UK. 

Inspector Andy Lee of the Economic Crime Unit said: "Criminals will always look to hide the funds generated by their criminal activities. Anyone involved, in any way whatsoever in the movement, retention, hiding or dissipation of any funds linked to criminality can expect to be subject to arrest and prosecution.

"I hope today's sentencing underlines the commitment from the Isle of Man Constabulary to trace and identify those that are involved in such money laundering enterprises."

You can read more about McHarrie's sentencing HERE.