Gangs who ran drug lines in Preston jailed for more than 100 years

A gang responsible for flooding Preston streets with cocaine and heroin have been jailed for more than 100 years.

Following an investigation by the Preston Intelligence Department the heads of the two OCGs – Karl Brown and Efosa Gelmini – and their army of dealers and runners are now behind bars.

The investigation codenamed Op Tumbler, as part of Op Warrior, showed the groups using numerous drug lines including the ‘Batman Line, the ‘Bigman’ Line, the ‘Omar’ line, the ‘Kyle’ Line, the ‘Ironman Line, the ‘Slim Line, the ‘Nigel Line, the ‘Ed’ Line and the ‘Salford’ Line to supply heroin and cocaine between August 2023 and June 2025.

Karl Brown was the principal member of the Ribbleton-based OCG and block text messages were sent out several times over a 24-hour period indicating round the clock distribution.

One of the messages to the ‘Bigman’ line read “Got both! Doing fat fat 10s and half G’s proper half G’s! Best/biggest about! New grafters, we bk propa.”

Brown regularly enjoyed holidays abroad including to Brazil, Turkey and the UAE using profits from supplying Class A drugs and running the ‘Kyle’ line.

Officers executed a warrant at Brown’s home address on June 13, 2025, and seized £40,000 in cash along with a mobile phone in charge of the Kyle Drug line.

A further address linked to Brown was searched and a large amount of Class A drugs was seized along with individual street wraps hidden in the attic under insulation, a cocaine press and a machete.

Meanwhile, Efosa Gelmini acted as a major supplier of cocaine and heroin to various OCGs in Preston and ran his own ‘Ace’ line operating in Manchester.

He made various journeys from Manchester to Preston to drop off orders and telephony evidence showed he was in regular contact with managers of the various deal lines.

Gelmini’s house was searched and wraps of Class A drugs were seized as well as numerous phones.

Our officers also raided a number of addresses in Preston during June 2025 with large quantities of drugs and cash seized and 27 people charged.

Sentencing has taken place over a 10-month period, and we can now release the full details after the last of the defendants were brought to justice.

Jail time

The following were convicted of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs:

Karl Brown, 40, of Bleasdale Street East, Preston, was jailed for nine years and six months.

Efosa Gelmini, 23, of Leyburn Road, Manchester, was jailed for nine years.

Marian Schiopu, 28, of no fixed abode, was jailed for six years and three months.

Nicky Appleton, 34, of Leek Street, Preston, was jailed for nine years and eight months.

Matthew Chambers, 32, of Hudson Road, Blackpool, was jailed for six years.

Liam Farnworth, 28, of Brookhouse Street, Preston, was jailed for five years and six months.

Denis Fisher, 53, of Wilbraham Street, Preston, was jailed for six years and nine months.

John Miller, 33, of Shakespeare Road, Preston, was jailed for five years and eight months.

Christopher Batstone, 26, of Milner Street, Preston, was jailed for five years and six months.

Daniel Smith, 24, of Whitby Place, Preston, of - 5 years 6 months’ imprisonment;

David McGowan, 37, of Ripon Terrace, Preston, was jailed for four years and 10 months.

Regan Toms, 27, of no fixed abode, was jailed for four years and six months.

Oliver Lavery, 23, of Dixons farm Mews, Preston, was jailed for four years.

Kevin Murphy, 42, of Hammonds Row, Preston, was jailed for three years and nine months.

Peter Hellewell, 47, of Gisburn Road, Preston, was jailed for three years and six months.

Jaequarn Silcott, 22, of Oxford Street, Preston, was jailed for three years and six months

Jessica Smith, 32, of no fixed abode, was jailed for three years.

Suspended prison sentences

Zaine Hastie, 22, of Gisburn Road, Preston, was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Brandon White, 19, of Wharfedale Avenue, Preston, was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Sarah Myers, 40, of Gisburn Road, Preston, was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Adam Henshaw, 19, of Mason Hill View, Preston, was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Jack Dearle, 20, of Exe Street, Preston, was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Three youths from Preston, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were given Youth Rehabilitation Orders.

Tracey Hankin, 54, of Wilbraham Street, Preston, was jailed for two years and four months after being convicted of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

Stuart Farnworth, 53, of English Martyrs Place, Preston, was jailed for 18 months after being convicted of assisting an OCG.

Det Insp Richard Clancy of Lancashire Police said: “These organised crime gangs brought misery to our communities by operating multiple drugs lines and fuelling the illegal supply of cocaine and heroin on our streets.

“Thanks to our hard work and relentless efforts, 24 members have now been given jail sentences for a combined total of more than 100 years.

“We will continue to target those who profit from drug dealing, dismantle criminal networks and bring those responsible before the courts to face justice.2

Operation Warrior is Lancashire Police's response to tackling serious and organised crime in Lancashire, which is backed by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw.