DRUG LORD IS JAILED
Police were watching as cocaine was delivered to father-of-four
Cops watched cocaine delivery
A DEALER branded “Anglesey’s drug lord” has been jailed for eight years after being busted by cops.
Ian Paul McGuigan was described by a judge as having a “significant role” in the cocaine conspiracy after police branded the 39-year-old from Tŷ Croes a “leech preying on the vulnerable”.
Two men from Merseyside, Brian Townsend and Anthony Donovan, were both handed 56-month prison terms for their part in the drugs racket.
Jailing the three last Friday, Judge Huw Rees said: “If you didn’t appreciate the effect of your greed before you should now. It is time to pay for your involvement in this conspiracy.”
McGuigan was also handed a concurrent five-year term for possessing a disguised firearm and a further threeyear term, also to be served concurrently, for possessing ammunition.
Caernarfon Crown Court heard police were watching when two men arrived at an Anglesey farm to deliver illegal drugs. When officers stopped the Passat car they found £35,000 cash in plastic bags in a specially adapted compartment. A later search revealed a kilo of cocaine in a brown package in a fence – it was similar to a package officers saw being handled by McGuigan.
The father of four admitted conspiracy to supply illegal drugs and money laundering at an earlier hearing, and also admitted charges of possessing a disguised firearm, seven hollow point bullets and criminal property.
The judge said in the wrong hands they could have a devastating effect, adding: “And those hands could be yours given the violent way you reacted to being arrested and handcuffed.”
Townsend, 36, of Park View Road, Liverpool, and 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.
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.
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 leech preying 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. McGuigan’s criminal enterprise truly wrecked lives in our community. He had enough boric acid in his possession to cut £1.4m 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.”
Area commander Supt Nigel Harrison added: “Those that bring misery by distributing controlled drugs in our community will be relentlessly pursued.”