IN THE NEWS PLYMOUTH DRUG GANG TARGETED: COMPLEX OPERATION REVEALS EX-TAXI BOSS’S INVOLVEMENT
A gang who “flooded” Plymouth’s streets with hard drugs has been smashed following the most complex investi- gation in the history of Plymouth’s police department.
It follows the guilty ver- dict at Plymouth Crown Court of former taxi boss Leslie Palmer, convicted of conspiring to transfer criminal property. He and the rest of the gang – including Mancunian Blake Donnellan, recently jailed for 15 years for his part in a cocaine smuggling plot – will be sentenced at a later date.
In a comprehensive report and coverage of criminal proceedings by the Plymouth Her- ald, it states that police have warned that everyone from drug
lords to footsoldiers will be targeted in the bid to clear the city’s streets of drugs. Det Insp Dave Dale of the Serious and Org- anised Crime Team spoke after the guilty verdict. Palmer was part of a complex web of dealers, couriers, money men and ‘area managers’ who en- sured a regular supply of heroin was trafficked to Plymouth from Man- chester.
Det Insp Dale told the Herald: “At the centre of this web of drugs and money was Blake Don- nellan, who has been involved in flooding the streets of Plymouth with drugs since he was a teenager.
“It has taken a very long and exhaustive enquiry to finally put an end to Donnellan’s
Leslie Palmer at Plymouth Crown Court
drug dealing.”
Launched in 2009, the investigation, code- named Operation Greaves, has seen a total of 26 criminals brought to justice. Det Insp Dale said it was the “biggest and most complex operation of its kind Devon and Cornwall Police have ever run.”
During his trial Plymouth Crown Court heard how Palmer, aged 67, had claimed that £20,000 found in his son’s car belonged to him.
Jonathan Palmer, who lives in the same house as his father, was arrest- ed on September 3, 2009 a few seconds away from the home of Dean Martin. Martin, aged 38, had earlier pleaded guilty to con- spiracy to convert criminal property. Palmer Snr had attend- ed Charles Cross police station four days later and asked for the money back, claiming it was a float from his businesses. The cash was returned but only after police secretly recorded the serial numbers.
When another car was stopped on the way from Plymouth to Man- chester on October 17, 362 of the same notes totalling nearly £5,000 were among £37,500 found inside.
Prosecutor Simon Laws said it was inconceiv- able the banknotes Palmer Snr claimed were his should end up in a drug cash courier’s car twice in three weeks without his being aware of it. Palmer Snr said that another son, Mark, now ran Silverline Taxis, which he helped to found in 1969, while he worked as an advisor to the business as well as managing rental prop- erties owned by a family trust set up in 1984.
Mr Laws said the case against Leslie Palmer could be summed up in three words: money and drugs. He said drugs were sent down from Manchester to Plymouth, with money travelling the opposite way, and Palmer was involved in the money
TAXI INSURANCE
We can provide possibly the best cover on the market
SINGLE, MULTI & FLEET AVAILABLE ON NAMED OR ANY DRIVER BASIS
Public liability up to £10m when carrying out his/her occupation as a driver whilst away from the vehicle.
Money cover up to £500 (£50 excess).
Option to protect your No Claims Bonus at any level either at inception or renewal.
Cover for your golf clubs or fishing tackle kept in your boot.
Personal Accident Cover.
Legal expenses cover for pursuing Uninsured Losses, Motor Prosecution and Motor Contract Disputes including rejection of new/used vehicles.
Unlimited windscreen cover (£75 excess). FREE Roadside Assistance and Local Recovery.
Telephone: 01543 503851 Fax: 01543 571921 TRADEX INSURANCE, 47 MARKET PLACE, CANNOCK WS11 1BP
side. Following the Crown Court hearing, Judge Francis Gilbert QC granted Leslie Palmer continued uncondition- al bail until he is sentenced with the other eight conspirators on a date to be fixed. The background to this complicated web of deceit, and the other players involved in the drama, would fill an entire issue of PHTM. Suffice to say at this point that Det Insp Dale and his team have con- ducted a successful in-depth investigation, following which several of the other miscreants have pleaded guilty to their involvement, namely transferring criminal property. We shall bring you updated information in future issues.
Tradex Insurance Company Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority PAGE 56 PHTM NOVEMBER 2011
1239/160710
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88
