AN ORGANISED crime gang who flooded the streets with heroin worth £7m have been jailed for more than 57 years.

They were brought to justice by Tarian, the regional organised crime unit for southern Wales. 

Five of the defendants were locked up at Cardiff Crown Court today after being convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin. 

They were:

  • Christopher Brannan, 38, of Sanderman Road, Walton, Liverpool jailed for 18 years and five months
  • Christopher Heaney, 47, of Cunzie Street, Anstruther, Fife jailed for nine years and five months
  • Jeffrey Hickson, 61, of Brewery Street, Blyth, Northumberland jailed for 10 years and four months
  • Kevin Thomson, 45, of Inchgall Avenue, Crosshill, Lochgelly, Fife jailed for six years and 10 months
  • Steven Creasey, 67, of Allerton Street, Grangetown, Cardiff jailed for 12 years and seven months

A sixth defendant, Stephen Hopkins, formerly of Haven Road, Fazakerley, Liverpool was also convicted of conspiracy to supply heroin. He died before sentencing. 

Kirsty Murphy, 36, of Sandeman Road, Walton, Liverpool was convicted of production of cannabis and arranging the retention of criminal property.

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She was jailed for six months, suspended for 18 months. 

Tarian started their operation on May 12, 2022, when they asked Police Scotland to arrest Steven Creasey.

Creasey, an ex-police officer who had served with the Royal Navy, was stopped whilst driving to Fife.

He had already travelled from his home in Cardiff to Liverpool.

A drugs dog found 5kg of heroin under the passenger seat of his car.

A burner phone connecting other members was also found. 

Tarian’s investigation found that Creasey was a Cardiff-based professional courier who had been recruited  by the heads of a gang based in Liverpool.

Christopher Brannan and Stephen Hopkins collected wholesale amounts of heroin, then distributed the onward supply across the UK via Creasey, Kevin Thomson, Christopher Heaney, and Jeffrey Hickson.

Christopher Brannan would then launder the proceeds through his partner Kirsty Murphy’s bank account. 

All five defendants pleaded guilty.

The officer in the case, Detective Constable Rhys Richards, said: “This organised crime gang spread misery across the United Kingdom for their own financial benefit.

“Justice has now caught up with them.

“Operation Solon was a complex investigation spanning two different jurisdictions, and the sentences handed down today are the result of dedicated police officers and police staff working tirelessly to achieve a positive outcome. 

“I hope these sentences send a strong message to those who see drug dealing and associated crimes as a way to make quick and substantial amounts of money.

“We continue to work alongside local police forces and law enforcement agencies to ensure criminals such as these are caught and brought to justice.

“I would like to thank each of the police forces and agencies who assisted us in this operation, which has demonstrated how effective partnership working can be.”

Detective Inspector Christopher McGlinchey of Police Scotland said: "This case underlines our collaborative efforts to dismantle organised crime networks that span regions.

"The significant amount of drugs trafficked by this group had the potential to inflict serious harm on our communities.

"The success of Operation Solon demonstrates strong partnership working between Police Scotland, Tarian and other partner agencies.

"It also reinforces our commitment to the UK's serious and organised crime strategy.

"Organised crime has no place in our society and we will continue to work relentlessly to bring those responsible to justice."