Merseyside Police discovered two Skorpion submachine guns and a pistol concealed within a specially constructed wall cavity in a Litherland flat. The discovery was made after officers planted a covert listening device in the car of Joshua Hayes, the leader of a major drug trafficking operation, which recorded him discussing how to hide the weapons.
Key Takeaways
- Police recovered two Skorpion submachine guns and a self-loading pistol from a flat on Condron Road North, Litherland.
- A covert listening device in a Mercedes captured gang leader Joshua Hayes discussing hiring a plasterer to create a secret compartment.
- The drug operation, led by Hayes, is estimated to have supplied approximately 9kg of cocaine with a street value up to £900,000.
- A total of 12 individuals have pleaded guilty to a range of firearms, drugs, and money laundering offences.
Covert Recording Uncovers Weapon Stash
The investigation into Joshua Hayes's criminal enterprise took a significant turn after Merseyside Police installed a listening device inside his Mercedes vehicle. On June 21, 2024, the device recorded conversations between Hayes and his associates, Anthony Bennett, James Harrison, and Georgie Medway.
During the discussion, the men planned to hire a plasterer to modify a flat. Their goal was to create a secure hiding place, described as a "hole in the wall," to ensure the firearms were kept "proper safe" and hidden from law enforcement.
Based on this intelligence, police returned to a flat on Condron Road North on July 13 last year, which they had previously searched without success. Officers identified a newly plastered and redecorated section of a wall and drilled into it, revealing a hidden void.
Weapons Recovered
Inside the wall cavity, officers found three bags wrapped in a tea towel containing:
- Two Czech-manufactured Skorpion submachine guns
- One self-loading pistol
- Several expanding bullets designed to cause maximum damage upon impact
The 'Boss Man' and His Cocaine Empire
The seizure of the weapons was part of a wider investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking network controlled by 34-year-old Joshua Hayes. The covert audio from his car revealed the extent of his operation, with Hayes referring to himself as "the Boss Man."
He was recorded boasting that his main drug dealing phone, or "graft phone," was worth an estimated £200,000 due to its extensive customer base. The operation ran daily from midday until 2 a.m.
Scale of the Drug Operation
Prosecutors detailed the significant volume of drugs supplied by the network. Hayes stated he supplied about a quarter of a kilogram of cocaine every five days. Between January and mid-July of the investigation year, the total amount of cocaine supplied was estimated to be around 9 kilograms.
The wholesale value of this quantity was calculated to be between £252,000 and £324,000. However, the potential street value was far higher, ranging from £360,000 to £900,000.
The criminal enterprise was highly organized. While Hayes took holidays in destinations like Turkey, he left others, including Aaron O'Brien, in charge of the drug line. The home of Stephen Sutter was used as a base for packaging the drugs for street-level distribution.
A Network of Accomplices
Money Laundering and Drug Production
The investigation uncovered a sophisticated network of individuals performing different roles. Kayla Wilson's Monzo and Revolut bank accounts were used to launder tens of thousands of pounds in drug proceeds.
Another key location was a second flat on Condron Road North, the home of Matthew Ball. The bug in Hayes's car captured discussions about establishing a "lab" at this address for producing crack cocaine. A subsequent search of this property revealed significant quantities of drugs, including nearly a kilogram of 85% pure crack cocaine and 132 grams of heroin.
Cannabis Sales and Forensic Links
The operation also involved large-scale cannabis distribution. James Harrison used Instagram and Telegram to sell "various different strains of high quality cannabis." In the month before his arrest alone, he offered to supply more than 41kg to customers. Experts estimated this could amount to 248kg over a six-month period.
Forensic evidence directly linked several members to the hidden firearms. DNA from Michael Caldwell, the occupant of the flat where the guns were found, was on both Skorpion submachine guns. Georgie Medway's DNA was also on one of the Skorpions, while teenager Thomas Ball's DNA was found on a Skorpion and the pistol.
Twelve Defendants Plead Guilty
A total of twelve individuals involved in the criminal network have now pleaded guilty to various offences before Liverpool Crown Court. Sentencing, which was scheduled by Judge Gary Woodhall, has been postponed to a later date due to time constraints.
The defendants and their pleas are as follows:
- Joshua Hayes, 34: Admitted conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition, possession of a firearm when prohibited, conspiracy to supply cocaine, and conspiracy to conceal criminal property.
- Anthony Bennett, 31: Admitted conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition, conspiracy to supply ketamine and cannabis, and production of crack cocaine.
- James Harrison, 28: Admitted conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition, and conspiracy to supply ketamine and cannabis.
- Georgie Medway, 21: Admitted conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition, conspiracy to supply ketamine and cannabis, and production of crack cocaine.
- Michael Caldwell, 40: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess prohibited firearms and ammunition.
- Thomas Ball, 18: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess prohibited firearms, and supplying heroin, crack cocaine, cocaine, ketamine, and cannabis.
- Matthew Ball, 28: Admitted supplying heroin, crack cocaine, and cocaine, and possession with intent to supply.
- Adam Dean, 28: Admitted conspiracy to supply class A drugs and conspiracy to conceal criminal property.
- John Newton, 33: Admitted conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.
- Aaron O’Brien, 24: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and conspiracy to conceal criminal property.
- Kayla Wilson, 33: Pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and conspiracy to conceal criminal property.
- Stephen Sutter, 33: Admitted conspiracy to supply class A drugs, conspiracy to conceal criminal property, and possession of cannabis.