The force said Ian Paul McGuigan thought he was "untouchable" and described him as a "leech preying on the vulnerable"
A dealer branded "Anglesey’s drug lord" has been jailed for eight years after being busted by police.
Ian Paul McGuigan from Ty Croes, on Anglesey, described by the judge as having a significant role in the cocaine enterprise, was today locked-up.
Police said many considered him a "drug lord" on the island when in fact he was a “leach preying on the vulnerable”.
Two Liverpool men, Brian Townsend, 36, and Anthony Donovan, 33, were both handed 56-month prison terms for their part in the drugs conspiracy.
Jailing the three at Caernarfon Crown Court Judge Huw Rees said: “If you didn’t appreciate the affect of your greed before you should now.
“It is time to pay for your involvement in this conspiracy.”
McGuigan was handed an eight year term for the drugs charge and a concurrent five year term for possessing a disguised firearm.
A further three term, also to be served concurrently, was handed down for possessing ammunition.
The judge heard police were watching when two men arrived at an Anglesey farm to deliver illegal drugs.
When officers stopped the vehicles later they found £35,000 cash in plastic bags in a specially adapted compartment in the Passat.
A further search recovered a kilo of cocaine, an illegal drug of Class A, in a brown package in a fence.
It was similar to a package officers saw being handled by McGuigan.
The father of four admitted charges of conspiracy to supply illegal drugs and money laundering at an earlier hearing.
He also admitted charges of possessing a disguised firearm and seven hollow point bullets and criminal property.
The judge said he was concerned at the presence of the items. He said in the wrong hands they could have a devastating effect.
“And those hands could be yours given the violent way you reacted to being arrested and handcuffed,” he remarked.
Brian Townsend, 36, of Park View Road, Liverpool and Anthony Donovan, 33, of Mullion Road, Croxteth, Liverpool, both admitted conspiracy to supply illegal drugs and possessing criminal property.
Townsend also pleaded guilty to possessing cocaine.
Michael Maher, for McGuigan, said his client accepted he faced an “inevitable and lengthy” sentence in jail.
He said his involvement in illegal drug dealing was unsophisticated and short lived “to make a quick buck”.
Referring to the firearm he claimed it had been left at his home by workmen and McGuigan had made sure it was kept away from his young children.
Mr Maher urged the judge to consider proportionality in sentence and said McGuigan was genuinely remorseful for his offending behaviour.
‘Anglesey’s Drug Lord’
He added McGuigan’s wife, a teacher at an Anglesey primary school, was facing a separate investigation and was currently suspended from work.
Barristers for the two other men argued they were simply couriers who had admitted their guilt at an early stage in proceedings.
After the hearing Det Chief Inspector Brian Kearney of North Wales Police said: “Ian Paul McGuigan was considered by some as ‘Anglesey’s Drug Lord’ where in-fact he was a leach praying on the vulnerable in our towns and villages whilst portraying himself as a legitimate car dealer and horse breeder.
“Until his recent arrest he believed he was untouchable.
“Ian Paul McGuigan’s criminal enterprise truly wrecked lives in our community. He had enough boric acid in his possession to cut £1.4 to £2m worth of cocaine.
“We welcome the sentences handed down today and as they begin their terms of imprisonment I hope they realise that bringing drugs into north Wales does not and will never pay.”
More arrests will follow
Area commander Supt Nigel Harrison said: “Those that bring misery by distributing controlled drugs in our community will be relentlessly pursued.
“Today’s sentence of Ian Paul McGuigan signals our clear intent to seek out and rid our communities of drug dealers. More arrests will follow.”
Andrew Warman of the Crown Prosecution Service added: “Drugs cases are often thought of as victimless crimes, when the reality is that the Community as a whole is the Victim.
"The CPS are committed to tackling these criminals who prey on our Communities.”
Supt Harrison asked anyone with information regarding those they think are involved in dealing illegal drugs to contact Police by either calling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/angleseys-drug-lord-jailed-eight-12299938
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