Chorley man to face sentencing for his role in drugs and money laundering gang

A Chorley man will be sentenced in September for his part in a gang which distributed Class A drugs throughout the north west.

Six members of the Liverpool-based organised crime group, also responsible for laundering of criminal profits, have been jailed for more than 36 years at Liverpool Crown Court.

Martin Winstanley, 35, of Longworth Avenue, Chorley will be sentenced in September.

He operated as a customer and street-level dealer, he distributed drugs further down the supply chain.

Operation Adventure, an investigation, led by the North West Regional Organised, dismantled the network headed by Carl Thornhill.

He would courier the movement of Class A and Class B drugs across the UK. The gang’s reach extended as far as Nottingham and Kent.

It was revealed the gang had supplied over 22KG of Class A with an estimated street value of £2.4 million and over 84KG of Class B with an estimated street value of £3.3 million.

Thornhill relied on a network of trusted coordinators, couriers and stash house owners such as:

Anthony Kirkpatrick, who played the role of coordinator, he would arrange meetings between suppliers and customers, as well as handle packages linked to drug supply.

Jaron Hunter, who assisted in logistics, he would source communication devices an facilitate transport.

Anthony Witterick, who was a trusted courier.

Paul Spencer, who was linked to a key address used for storing and distributing drugs.

Michael Molyneux, who was a custodian of a property used as a stash house for drugs and equipment.

On May 29, Witterick was arrested on the M5. Officers uncovered a sophisticated mechanical hide within his vehicle containing 15KG of Class A.

On June 17, 2025, Thornhill was arrested, in his possession was 75KG of ketamine. Warrants were executed at connected address which led to the recovery of over nine kilograms of cocaine, over 50,000 MDMA tablets, and over £117,000 in cash.

All defendants admitted the charges and were sentenced yesterday.

Carl Thornhill, 57, of Taplow Street, Liverpool, was jailed for 15 years

Anthony Kirkpatrick, 27, of Lindale Road, Fairfield, was jailed for 6 years and three months

Jaron Hunter, 33, of Carr Lane East, Liverpool, was jailed for two years and three months

Anthony Witterick, 36, of Eaton Road, West Derby, was jailed for six years and eight months

Paul Spencer, 37, of Normandale Road, Liverpool, was jailed for six years and eight months

Michael Molyneaux, 33, of Max Road, Liverpool, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 18 months.

Det chief insp Kelly Wild said: “The individuals sentenced today were part of a sophisticated network responsible for the widespread distribution of harmful drugs to our communities and beyond.

“Thornhill and his associates believed they could operate under the radar, but their activities were uncovered through Operation Adventure. The total sentences imposed reached more than 36 years.

“This result demonstrates our determination to protect the public and target those who profit from criminality. We remain committed to identifying, disrupting and dismantling organised crime groups and bring all those involved to justice.”