Blackpool drug dealer kept supplying crack and cannabis while serving lengthy jail sentence
A Blackpool drug dealer who was already serving a lengthy jail sentence continued to run a major drugs operation from behind bars, a court has heard.
Chad James, 36, orchestrated the supply of cocaine and cannabis across Lancashire and beyond while imprisoned, using associates on the outside to move drugs and cash on his behalf.
James was first arrested on February 27, 2023, at Manchester Airport as he attempted to fly to Zurich.
The arrest followed intelligence uncovered during Operation Venetic after data was extracted from the encrypted EncroChat phone network used by organised criminals.
He later pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs, money laundering and conspiracy to supply a firearm. He was jailed for 16 years in August 2023.
However, despite being locked up, James continued to act as a drug supplier from his prison cell, conspiring with Mark McGovern and others to courier drugs and cash across the county.
Earlier this month, James and members of the organised crime group were jailed following Operation Valiant, led by Lancashire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit.
James was handed an additional four years and 11 months on top of his existing sentence, bringing his total jail term to more than 20 years.
The combined sentences handed to the wider gang exceeded 100 years.
Detective Chief Inspector Tom Edmondson said: “Chad James was the man behind a sophisticated organised criminal gang supplying many kilos of drugs in Lancashire and beyond and I welcome these significant sentences.
“However, our work continues unabated. We are determined to leave no stone unturned in our efforts to rid local communities of organised crime and the misery it can cause.
“We will continue to relentlessly pursue those causing the most harm to our communities, we know there is more work to do and we’re continuing to go after more.”
He urged anyone with information about organised crime, including drug dealing, exploitation, human trafficking or counterfeiting, to report it to police or anonymously via Crimestoppers.
The investigation forms part of Operation Warrior, Lancashire Police’s long-term strategy to tackle serious and organised crime, supported by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.
Those jailed were:
- Chad James, 37, of HMP Wymott, formerly of Lytham Road, Blackpool - Conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis. Sentenced to four years and 11 months, taking his total sentence to 20 years and 11 months.
- Mark McGovern, 62, of Ingleway Avenue, Blackpool - Conspiracy to supply cocaine. 12 years and six months.
- John Green, 43, of Brodick Drive, Bolton - Conspiracy to supply cocaine. Seven years.
- Sean Norbury, 37, of Kingsland Grove, Blackpool - Conspiracy to supply cocaine. Seven years and seven months.
- Adam Walker, 38, of Fenber Avenue, Blackpool - Conspiracy to supply cocaine. Five years and five months.
- Dean O’Hara, 30, of Coopers Way, Blackpool - Conspiracy to supply cocaine. Six years.
- Brandon Gaskell, 24, of New Rough Hey, Preston - Conspiracy to supply cocaine. Four years and 10 months.
- Tony Johnson, 37, of Horncliffe Road, Blackpool - Conspiracy to supply cannabis and possession with intent to supply cocaine. Four years and five months.
- Shawn Drinkwater, 40, of Seabourne Avenue, Blackpool - Conspiracy to supply cannabis. 12 months.
- Mark Harris, 32, of Foxtail Close, Poulton-le-Fylde - Conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis. Eight years.
- Brandon Vaughan, 32, of Lytham Road, Blackpool - Conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis. Seven years and six months.
- Andrew Walsh, 62, of Greystoke Place, Blackpool - Conspiracy to supply cocaine. Eight years.
- Mark Senior, 34, of Adstone Place, Blackpool - Possession with intent to supply cocaine and money laundering. 26 months.
- Peter James, 65, of Scarsdale Avenue, Blackpool - Money laundering. 26 months.
- Archie Fowler, 49, of Carshalton Road, Blackpool - Money laundering. Three years.
- Nicola Sharples, 33, of Lytham Road, Blackpool - Assisting an organised crime group. 16 months.
- Christian Jarvis, 31, of Priory Mews, Lytham St Annes - Assisting an organised crime group. 12 months.