Cruel bully led ‘shambolic cocaine gang and threw his own family under the bus’

A judge has branded a gang who plotted to flood North Wales with cocaine a ‘shambles’ as she jailed members for a total of almost 50 years and branded ringleader, Lee Rigby a ‘bully’

A judge today slammed a gang who schemed to swamp North Wales with cocaine as a “shambles” whilst sentencing some members to nearly 50 years behind bars.

She branded ringleader Lee Rigby a “mean and cruel bully” who dragged relatives into his web – including his son who simply wanted to make his father “proud”. She even said the dad had “thrown his family under the bus”.

Rigby senior, a cockle harvester, had masqueraded as a respectable businessman whilst plotting to source and distribute nine kilos of cocaine, plus ketamine and cannabis, across North Wales.

Officers cracked the operation using covert listening devices in vehicles and surveillance techniques, reports North Wales Live.

Delivering the sentences, Her Honour Nicola Jones at Caernarfon Crown Court said: “This is not an organised crime gang. It’s a shambles led by Mr (Lee) Rigby who is a bully, mean and cruel, who brought his son Wesley, who was 17 or 18 (into it).

“All Wesley wanted to do was make his Dad proud. He did it by being the best drug dealer he could be which was all his Dad had ever taught him to do.”

She revealed Lee Rigby has 11 convictions for 15 offences including violence and motoring matters and “somewhat bizarrely” a conviction for cockle poaching resulting in a £3,000 fine. Rigby had used his half-brother Daniel Carroll, 33, of Englefield Avenue, Connah’s Quay and also “exploited” his 18 year old son Wesley Rigby, now 21, of Maes Glyndwr, Treuddyn, Mold.

Lee Rigby had stashed criminal proceeds in bank accounts during regular jaunts to Thailand, splashing cash on property, boats and motors.

However, the covert listening device placed in a North Wales vehicle proved crucial in cracking the case. The judge declared Lee Rigby had “thrown his family under the bus”.

Their convictions stem from an exhaustive and lengthy probe spearheaded by the North Wales Police Serious and Organised Crime Unit.

“Operation Zero” targeted the gang’s criminal enterprises between December 2022 and November 2023.

Throughout this timeframe, officers conducted comprehensive intelligence-gathering operations. The probe concentrated on monitoring the daily routines and lifestyles of suspects within the criminal enterprise.

Lee Rigby, 42, of Station Road, Sandycroft, was identified as the ringleader of the gang’s illegal drug operations, obtaining kilogram amounts of cocaine, ketamine and cannabis from higher-level suppliers and orchestrating the commercial-scale distribution of these substances.

Rigby was aided by his loyal accomplice, Mark Poh, 42, who shared Rigby’s Station Road, Sandycroft address.

Poh handled the measuring and parcelling of the banned substances, before the duo would then supply locally through reliable lower-level dealers. Daniel Carrroll, 33, from Engfield Avenue, Connah’s Quay and Rigby’s half-brother, bankrolled the operation, supplying Rigby with the funds to purchase the drugs in exchange for a cut of the profits.

Carroll also acted as a cash courier for others on behalf of Rigby and used his residence as a secure stash for the money.

Rigby’s main downstream suppliers included his 21 year old son, Wesley Rigby, from Maes Glyndwr, Treuddyn, and Frank Jones, 35, of Cornist Lane, Flint.

Jack Harpur, 31, residing at Sandy Lane, Deedisde, played various roles within the conspiracy, primarily using his home as a cash storage and dealing smaller quantities of drugs for Poh.

During a hearing at Mold Crown Court on May 12, 2025, Katie Williams, 35, of Deva Avenue, Connah’s Quay and Claire Clegg, 43, of Chevrons Road, Shotton, were sentenced for their involvement in aiding the gang by stashing money in their homes.

Jessica Lett, 38, also of Chevrons Road, Shotton, received her sentence for dealing cocaine and cannabis.

All three were given a 12-month community order with the stipulation that they must complete 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Richard Sidney, commented today: “Drugs ruin lives, blight communities, and bring misery to users and their families.

“This investigation has dismantled an established supply network within Flintshire and that is testament to the diligent police work and specialist skills of a large team of officers working within our Serious and Organised Crime team.

“Today’s outcome should act as a strong deterrent to anyone involved in drug supply, and a reminder that that we will continue to take decisive action to dismantle organised crime and associated criminal networks.

“Tackling drug supply will remain a priority for North Wales Police, but we cannot do this without the continued assistance of our communities.

“If you have information on the supply of drugs in your area, please get in touch, or report if anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers so we can take action.”

The immediate custodial sentences total 47 years and five months.