Smuggling gang’s long jail terms a ‘harsh reality of drug crime’

IOM CONSTABULARY Police mugshot of Liam Bradley, who has close-cropped brown hair and a beard, photographed against a green background. — Liam Bradley was jailed for nine years and four months for his part in the Isle of Man side of the plot

Lengthy prison sentences handed down to members of an organized crime gang who plotted to bring a large amount of cocaine to the Isle of Man shows the “harsh reality of being caught”, police have said.

Four men were jailed on Wednesday for being involved in the importation of the Class A drug on a ferry sailing, with their plan being to take the financial proceeds back to the UK.

The plot was foiled by plainclothes police officers who made arrests in a hotel car park after the drugs and cash were exchanged.

Det Insp Jamie Tomlinson of the Isle of Man Constabulary’s serious and organized crime unit said the convictions were the “result of many months of focus and dedication”.

He said: “This proactive operation has dismantled an organized crime group who were active in bringing cocaine into the island for onward supply.”

Operation Tirana saw officers target those involved in the plot on 18 May 2024.

Cocaine with a street value of between £55,920 and £111,840 was seized along with about £15,000 in Manx bank notes.

IOM CONSTABULRY Police mugshots of Robin Leigh, who has a bald head and short gray beard, and Ryan White, who has short light brown hair. — Robin Leigh (left) was jailed for more than eight years, while Ryan White was sentenced to more than seven

Douglas resident Liam Bradley, who was said to have played a leading role in the Isle of Man side of the operation, was jailed for nine years and four months.

Another local man, Ryan White, was jailed for seven years and eight months, while John O’Neill, of Manchester, was jailed for six years and five months.

Manchester-based Robin Leigh, who was a leading figure in the UK side of the plot, was sentenced to eight years and seven months in prison.

A fifth man, Wesley Maddix, also from the Manchester area, was sentenced to five months after admitting possession of criminal property.

IOM Constabulary John O'Neil, who has close-cropped brown hair with a receding hair line, and Wesley Maddix, who has short dark hair. Both men have stubble. — John O’Neil (left) arrived on the same ferry as Wesley Maddix

Det Insp Tomlinson said it had been an “outstanding team effort” by his colleagues.

He added: “The courts have yet again shown – in the sentences imposed – the harsh reality of being caught having been involved in the production, supply and planning in respect of Class A drugs on our island.

“You can expect significant custodial sentences if apprehended.”

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