Six people were sentenced on Friday for a drugs and guns conspiracy that involved 14 defendants who have now been jailed for a total of 119 years.
The Crown Prosecution Service working with Merseyside Police have brought to an end the dealings of several criminals who were working together in a violent and dangerous drugs and guns trade in Liverpool and the surrounding area.
Two weapons were a key part of the group’s activities : an Uzi sub machine gun and a Berretta pistol. The guns were used in a total of 21 shootings over 5 years. The conspirators were involved in the sale of cannabis and cocaine.
James Lunt, 28, of Celendine Close in Liverpool, was the head of the conspiracy and had control of the Uzi submachine gun for most of the time from 2012 until it was seized in 2017.
He was sentenced to 21 years in jail today at Liverpool Crown Court. A further three years on licence was added to his sentence as he is deemed dangerous.
Alan E’Von, 22, and Thomas Porterfield, 37 were jailed for 13 years for their part in the conspiracy, and Michael Connerty, 32, received 14 years.
Catherine McGuinness, 50, was jailed for 12 years, the Uzi sub machine gun had been recovered at her house.
Lee Brown, 30, was jailed for 6 and a half years, James Bennett, 25, was jailed for 5 and a half years, and Lee Jones, 25, was jailed for 3 years for their roles in the conspiracy to supply cannabis.
Geoff Fryar of Mersey Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service said: “These sentences come at the end of months of work by the Complex Casework Unit of Mersey Cheshire Crown Prosecution Service. We are determined to bring to justice all criminals involved in gun-related crime and put an end to their lethal activities.”