A Liverpool drug trafficking boss who called himself "the Boss Man" was brought down after police planted a secret listening device in his Mercedes. The bug captured Joshua Hayes complaining about his operations being disrupted while he was on holiday, leading to the dismantling of an organised crime group that dealt in large quantities of cocaine and possessed military-grade weapons.
Key Takeaways
- Joshua Hayes, 34, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for leading a major drug and firearms conspiracy.
- Police used a covert listening device in his car to gather crucial evidence against the gang.
- The group hid Skorpion submachine guns and a pistol inside a specially prepared wall cavity in a Litherland flat.
- The drug operation was estimated to have supplied approximately 9kg of cocaine, with a potential street value of up to £900,000.
- A total of twelve individuals were sentenced for their roles in the criminal enterprise.
Covert Operation Exposes Criminal Network
An extensive investigation by Merseyside Police culminated in the sentencing of twelve people involved in a sophisticated drug supply and firearms network. The operation's leader, 34-year-old Joshua Hayes of Litherland, was identified through intelligence that led officers to place a listening device inside his Mercedes vehicle.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that this covert tactic proved critical. Recordings from the device captured Hayes and his associates discussing their criminal activities in detail, including plans to conceal dangerous firearms and manage a lucrative cocaine business.
The Hidden Arsenal
Conversations recorded on June 21, 2024, revealed a plot to hide weapons. Hayes, along with Anthony Bennett, James Harrison, and Georgie Medway, were heard discussing the need to make a cache of firearms "proper safe" within a "hole in the wall." They even talked about hiring a plasterer to ensure the hiding spot was undetectable.
This information led police back to a flat on Condron Road North in Litherland on July 13 last year, an address they had previously searched without success. This time, officers drilled into a newly plastered section of a wall and discovered a hidden void.
Weapons Recovered
Inside the wall, officers found three bags wrapped in a tea towel. They contained:
- Two Czech-manufactured Skorpion submachine guns
- One self-loading pistol
- Several expanding bullets, designed to cause maximum damage on impact
Forensic analysis linked several gang members directly to the weapons. DNA from Michael Caldwell, the flat's resident, was found on both Skorpions. Georgie Medway's DNA was also on one of the submachine guns, while teenager Thomas Ball was linked to a Skorpion and the pistol.
A Multi-Million Pound Drug Enterprise
The listening device in Hayes' car provided investigators with an unprecedented insight into the scale of his drug operation. Hayes was recorded boasting that the mobile phone line used for drug deals was worth around £200,000.
He also estimated that his network was supplying approximately a quarter of a kilogram of cocaine every five days. The prosecution, led by Nicola Daley, calculated that over a six-month period from January to July, the group likely supplied around 9 kilograms of cocaine.
Estimated Drug Values
According to court documents, the 9kg of cocaine had a significant market value:
- Wholesale Value: £252,000 to £324,000
- Potential Street Value: £360,000 to £900,000
The operation was active daily, typically between midday and 2 a.m. Hayes referred to himself as "the Boss Man" in conversations with his associates, cementing his position at the top of the hierarchy.
Holiday Frustrations Lead to Critical Error
The investigation captured a moment of frustration from Hayes that highlighted his arrogance. While on holiday in Tenerife in June, he left Stephen Sutter and John Newton in charge of the drug line. However, on June 20, Newton was arrested in Formby.
Upon returning to the UK, Hayes was recorded on a phone call with Anthony Bennett, unaware that police were listening.
"The worker's been nicked with the phone lad... Can't even go on holiday for a f***ing week bro," Hayes complained.
His immediate concern was the loss of the valuable drug phone. He quickly went to an O2 store in Aintree to buy a new phone and SIM card to minimise disruption to his business. He was later heard telling another associate that the seized phone was "worth 200 quid," a slang term for £200,000.
The Wider Conspiracy
The investigation uncovered a wide-ranging criminal enterprise with multiple members playing distinct roles. The gang used a second flat on Condron Road North as a "lab" for producing crack cocaine. A search of this property, the home of Matthew Ball, uncovered significant quantities of drugs, including nearly a kilogram of 85% pure crack cocaine, 132g of heroin, and other paraphernalia.
Other members were involved in different aspects of the trade. James Harrison managed the sale of "high quality cannabis" through social media platforms like Instagram and Telegram, offering to supply over 41kg in a single month.
Kayley Wilson was responsible for laundering the proceeds, with tens of thousands of pounds passing through her Monzo and Revolut bank accounts. Others, like Aaron O'Brien, were tasked with holding the "graft phone" when Hayes travelled abroad to locations including Turkey.
Sentences Handed Down
At Liverpool Crown Court, Judge Gary Woodhall sentenced twelve individuals to a combined total of over 100 years in prison for their involvement in the organised crime group.
The key sentences included:
- Joshua Hayes, 34: Jailed for 20 years.
- Anthony Bennett, 31: Jailed for 17 years and 7 months.
- James Harrison, 28: Jailed for 15 years and 6 months.
- Georgie Medway, 21: Jailed for 12 years.
- Matthew Ball, 28: Jailed for 9 years and 2 months.
Other members received sentences ranging from four years to six years and eight months for their respective roles.
Following the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Tony Roberts of Merseyside Police stated: "I am in no doubt that communities across Merseyside are safer now that these individuals are behind bars. Members of this OCG possessed weapons, such as the Skorpion, that have been used to kill innocent people in Merseyside."
He praised the officers involved for their dedication, which led to the removal of dangerous criminals, weapons, and drugs from the streets.