Three members of a drugs gang responsible for moving heroin and crack cocaine from Merseyside into Lancashire have been jailed following a detailed investigation by Lancashire Police’s South Division Targeted Crime Unit.

The group was involved in transporting drugs from Liverpool to the South Ribble area between late March and mid-May 2022, operating a supply chain that pushed Class A drugs into local communities.

John Bradley, described by officers as the ringleader, orchestrated the operation from his home in Liverpool. He took orders, directed the distribution of drugs, and arranged the collection of debts.
Andrew Blake acted as the courier, travelling between Liverpool and Lancashire 51 times to deliver consignments.
He would frequently meet Simon Gorner, often at an address in Croston or sometimes in Leyland. Gorner then passed the drugs on to street-level dealers in the Leyland area.

Blake and Gorner were arrested on 18 May 2022 during a raid at a house on Station Road in Croston. Officers recovered £1,950 in cash from an envelope on a sofa where Blake had been sitting. Also found beside him was a plastic bag containing 143 wraps of heroin and 48 rocks of crack cocaine.

Bradley was arrested the same morning at his Liverpool home, where officers uncovered £19,225 in cash hidden in a bedroom.

All three appeared at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday, 18 November, for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and to acquiring, using, or possessing criminal property.

• John Bradley, 27, of Whitehaven Road, Liverpool, was jailed for 7 years.
• Andrew Blake, 62, of Botanic Road, Liverpool, received 6 years and 9 months.
• Simon Gorner, 63, of Bannister Drive, Leyland, was sentenced to 4 years and 11 months.

The investigation formed part of Operation Warrior, Lancashire Police’s force-wide response to serious and organised crime. Supported by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw, the initiative aims to dismantle criminal networks responsible for large-scale drug supply, violence, exploitation, fraud, and the associated harm caused to communities.

A police spokesperson said the sentences reflect the force’s continued commitment to protecting the public and disrupting the supply of dangerous drugs across Lancashire.