Members of a Lancashire drugs gang have been jailed after a major crackdown, but their boss remains on the run as investigations continue.
bottom row, left to right: Aaron Shaw, Daniel Proctor and Anthony Steenson
Members of a drugs gang who sent more than 120kg of cocaine across the UK have been jailed whilst the man outlined as the operation’s boss is on the run. Six people involved in a lucrative drugs plot were sent to prison whilst their ‘leader’ John Burns remains warranted by police.
Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard how the gang had supplied cocaine across ‘the length and breadth’ of the country with an operation which was run ‘like a business’. Members of the group would discuss costs, wages, trips and stock on WhatsApp and people were employed as warehouse workers and couriers, as the men reports.
In February 2023, the group split up after discovering police were investigating. Then, John Burns – who acted like a ‘CEO’ or ‘operational director’ – fled the country with his partner and relayed orders to his second-in-command, John Gannon, the court heard.
“The methodology was simple,” Alex Langhorn, prosecuting, said. “The head of the OCG was directing from abroad. He would pass on details to John Gannon, who would pass further details surrounding collecting and moving money, and collecting and moving drugs, as well as taking stock.
“There was also the discussion of wages, and everything you can imagine to make it look like a legitimate courier service.”
Aaron Shaw, James Hull and Anthony Steenson operated safe houses where drugs were stored, whilst Jacqueline McNeely, Daniel Proctor, Luke Burns – John Burns’ nephew – and Jack Brown worked as ‘couriers’. Shaw and Hull were in a separate WhatsApp group, named ‘Warehouse Crew’ and the members had nicknames such as ‘Brown the S**z’, namely and ‘Cracky Jackie’.
The operation saw 121kg of cocaine, 9kg of heroin, and 20kg of cannabis being sold. Sentencing members of the gang, judge Neil Usher said: “This was, on any view, a very significant conspiracy to supply both heroin and cocaine over the period of September 2023 to December 2024.
“Those across the top of the business included John Gannon, who was responsible for sourcing and delivering large quantities of class A drugs across the length and breadth of the country, from Essex to Carlisle and so on. Others involved played lesser, but vital roles, arranging safe houses or delivering cash payments. Some of you were involved in the conspiracy to feed your own addictions.
“Others, for reasons of plain greed, two of you it is clear from your criminal record, exhibited a complete disregard of the misery and hardship those drugs cause to those unfortunately addicted to them.”
Gannon, who worked as ‘director’ below John Burns, was arrested at his home and was found snorting cocaine when police arrived. “You acted as a director of those in the conspiracy,” the judge told him, jailing him for more than 12 years.
When Shaw was arrested and searched, officers found a £7,000 Louis Vuitton receipt. He has now been sent away for more than eight years
Hull, who also operated safe houses, was jailed for four-and-a-half years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs in May 2016, before being handed a further three years and nine months for drug offences in November 2023. He then became involved in the conspiracy after being released on September 10 last year.
Jailing him for 10 years, Judge Usher told him: “Those two significant prison sentences made no impact on your determination to continue trafficking drugs. Within days of your release, you involved yourself in this conspiracy. In total you dealt 44kg of cocaine and at least 2kg of heroin in just six weeks. You put yourself before your family by committing serious drug trafficking offences.”
Steenson was described by the judge as a ‘determined dealer’ due to his previous convictions for similar offending. “It is hoped the latest sentence will deter you and others from becoming involved,” the judge added before jailing him for 11 years.
McNeely, referred to in messages as ‘Cracky Jackie’ due to her use of class A drugs, was pulled over on suspicion of drug driving during a trip to Hartlepool. She was involved in supplying a large amount of cocaine and was jailed for more than five years.
Proctor, from Rossendale, was ‘trusted’ to travel to various cities – including Cheltenham, Hastings, Plymouth and Nottingham – by those above him. He was jailed for six years.
Brown was involved in one day of the conspiracy to supply cannabis. Luke Burns, the nephew of John Burns, sold ‘modest’ amounts of cocaine through a ‘graft line’, using flare messages. Both were given suspended sentences.
A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing was scheduled for June 15, 2026.
Sentences in full
- John Gannon, 33, of Tempest Road, Bolton, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A and class B drugs. He was jailed for 12 years and nine months.
- Aaron Shaw, 35, of Broadway, Manchester, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A and class B drugs. He was jailed for eight years and eight months.
- James Hull, 34, of Queen Street, Failsworth, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A and class B drugs. He was jailed for 10 years.
- Anthony Steenson, 39, of Burnfield Road, Stockport, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A and class B drugs. He was jailed for 11 years and three months.
- Jacqueline McNeely, 48, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Cass A and class B drugs. She was jailed for five years and seven months.
- Daniel Proctor, 36, of Staghills Road, Rossendale, pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to supply Class A and class B drugs. He was jailed for six years.
- Luke Burns, 27, of Woodstock Road, Moston, was handed a two year sentence, suspended for two years having admitted conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs. He was ordered to carry out 25 days of rehabilitation activity requirements and 100 hours of unpaid work.
- Jack Brown, 33, of Merryfield Grange, Bolton, was handed an 18-month sentence, suspended for 18 months having admitted conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. He was ordered to take part in a nine-month drug rehabilitation programme and carry out 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirements and 100 hours of unpaid work.
Reports are sourced from official documents, law-enforcement updates, and credible investigations.
Discover additional reports, market trends, and crime analysis on DarkDotWeb to stay informed about the latest dark web operations.
