Jamie Oldroyd, a significant drug dealer in northern England, found himself on a gangland hitlist after accumulating immense wealth from the drug trade. His operations involved distributing class A drugs using a fleet of over a dozen cars, cloaked under the guise of a car lease firm.

Oldroyd projected an image of a successful businessman, yet this was merely a facade for a troubled criminal enterprise burdened by substantial debt. His downfall began when police focused on his associate, Jamie Simpson, who was arrested with £20 million worth of cocaine on the M6.

The aforementioned police operation also connected to notorious brothers Alan and John Tobin, who supplied drugs to numerous gangs throughout the UK. Oldroyd's financial losses pushed him deeper into debt with other gangsters, heightening the dangers he faced.

Huge Criminal Gains

During a 14-month investigation, detectives noted Oldroyd cycling through 17 different vehicles. These vehicles were primarily used to transport drugs sourced from powerful figures in Manchester and Liverpool, with operations extending as far as London, Carlisle, and Darlington. His profits, amounting to tens of thousands, fueled a lavish lifestyle and a notorious image.

A homemade video showed Oldroyd surrounded by cash, necessitating counting machines to keep track of his earnings. Detectives estimated that approximately £150,000 in banknotes was present during this recording.

Oldroyd’s gang was described as highly organized, taking meticulous measures to avoid detection, such as frequently changing mobile phones and vehicles while using encrypted messaging apps for coordination.

Notably, one of his associates, Paul Ferraiolo, was a lavish spender known for driving a Lamborghini and a Ferrari, further illustrating the lifestyle surrounding Oldroyd's operations.

£20m of Cocaine Seized on M6

Oldroyd’s enterprise peaked with the arrest of Jamie Simpson, who was apprehended on the M6 on August 2, 2018, while transporting 186kg of cocaine valued at £20 million. The operation involved police strategically blocking Simpson's van and another vehicle during their journey from Kent to Warrington.

The significant seizure highlighted the scale of Oldroyd's operations, revealing layers of criminality beneath him. However, following the M6 bust, he accrued debts amounting to millions, placing him and his family in danger, leading to violent attempts on his life.

Threats escalated, resulting in attacks on his family's businesses and a shooting at his home. A covert police investigation deemed the threats serious enough to issue Osman letters—a warning of imminent danger of murder.

Oldroyd was eventually connected to further drug conspiracies when traces of his DNA were found alongside cocaine worth over £125,000. He was arrested in February 2018 with nearly £1,000 in cash.

Oldroyd received a 14-year and three-month sentence for conspiracy to supply cocaine, while Simpson was sentenced to 11 and a half years. Nevertheless, the threats against them persisted.

Desperation Among Associates

Oldroyd’s associates, the Tobin brothers, also faced immense pressure following the seizure. John Tobin was shot outside his residence, with the shooting believed to have been financed by a key figure nicknamed "The Banker." In a desperate attempt to alleviate their financial burdens, the Tobins began cooperating with other criminal factions, leading to a series of violent incidents in Warrington.

During their trials, it was revealed that Alan Tobin was owed £1.5 million by "Alvin," a code name for Oldroyd, who allegedly resembled a chipmunk, illustrating the intricate connections among these criminal factions.

The court proceedings exposed the severity of Oldroyd's impact on others involved in the drug trade and the violent ramifications that ensued from the drug seizures and financial debts.

Consequences of the Cocaine Seizure

The massive cocaine seizure led to the downfall of numerous high-profile figures in the north-west drug trade, including Oldroyd, and resulted in almost two dozen arrests of his associates. The Tobins and the Cullen brothers faced significant prison sentences, highlighting the operation's success.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Evans remarked on the investigation's success: "Despite Oldroyd’s organized crime group going to great lengths to conceal their criminality, we were always going to be one step ahead." Rachael Barber from the Crown Prosecution Service affirmed the extensive complexity of the case involving 21 gang members and lengthy sentences amounting to over 120 years, serving as a caution to other criminal entities.