Four men have been jailed for conspiracy to supply drugs.
Cumbria police’s Operation Gall began in 2023 after officers stopped a black Audi travelling on the M6 and found cocaine in a bag for life on the back seat.
The operation led to the following people being sentenced today at Carlisle Crown Court for the supply of cocaine and cannabis:
- Paul Simpson, 27, of Bounty Avenue, Maryport was sentenced to five years and four months
- Richi McMillan, 27, of Grasmere Terrace, Maryport was sentenced to six years.
- Umbar Ali, 30, of Keighley, Bradford was sentenced to nine years.
- Haider Ali, 30, of Ashliegh Street, Keighley, Bradford was sentenced to five years and eight months.
All pleaded guilty to the offences, with Haider Ali pleading guilty on the third day of his trial.
On May 17 2023, officers stopped a black Audi driven by Haider Ali on the M6 northbound between J39 and J40.
Officers conducted a search of the vehicle. When officers asked Ali if they would find anything he replied: “There’s a bag on the back seat”.
In the bag, officers found eight 27.5g bags of cocaine and two 122g bags of cocaine.
Officers also located a phone with message between Ali and since identified Richi McMillian, the messages were Richi asking, ‘what you got’ and in response Ali sent a nose emoji.
McMillian was arrested the following day, officers searched his vehicle and located 3g of cocaine and his phone.
Evidence collected of numerous chats showed McMillan was receiving cocaine and cannabis from Umbar Ali to sell in West Cumbria.
It also showed him communicating with Simpson to arrange the supply of drugs and supplying drugs for others to sell.
Simpson was arrested on November 22 2023 for his role in the conspiracy to supply drugs.
Messages found on McMillian’s phone evidenced Simpson’s involvement in the conspiracy alongside financial transactions showing he sent money to Umbar Ali.
Messages on Haider Ali’s phone connected him to Umbar Ali, who was orchestrating Haider on who he should contact and visit in West Cumbria.
The messages included discussion on cash collected and suggested that Haider was collecting drugs from Umbar before travelling to Cumbria.
On 28 July 28 2023, officers stopped a black VW Golf on Hall Brow, Workington with two occupants in the vehicle with Umbar being a passenger.
The vehicle and males were searched with officers locating 231g of cocaine, split in to four packages found inside a shoebox in a sports bag.
Umber and the driver of the vehicle were arrested.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Lewis Young, of Cumberland CID, said: “We have contempt for anyone coming to Cumbria to exploit individuals supplying drugs within our communities.
“Operation Gall has led to disruption across the supply chain from supplier to dealer and we are committed to continue this by proactively targeting criminals.”
Detective Inspector Lee Brumpton, of Cumberland CID, said: “Convicting those involved in organised crime is a priority for the constabulary.
“The public are urged to report any suspected drug supply activity in their community.
“We continue to actively target county line drug dealing to protect our communities and vulnerable people from those that seek to target them.
“Report any suspicious or drug dealing activity in your area, that one piece of intelligence could be the key to taking drug dealers off the streets of our county.”
