A 23-year-old man from Wirral has been sentenced to 24 years in prison for his involvement in a gang-related shooting and drug conspiracy. John Lewis, of Home Farm Road, Woodchurch, was found guilty of selling weapons and conspiring with another individual to supply cocaine, heroin, and cannabis.
Lewis’s arrest came as a result of an investigation by Merseyside Police detectives involved in Operation Venetic, an international operation targeting the use of a mobile encryption service known as Encrochat. Lewis was identified as using the handle ‘blazebat’ on Encrochat, where he disclosed personal information about himself, including his home address and other significant dates.
During the trial, it was revealed that Lewis had agreed to sell firearms and played a central role in a conspiracy to distribute drugs across Merseyside, North Wales, and the South-West. Another individual, David Delap, of Woodchurch Lane, Wirral, who went by the username ‘santashelper’ on Encrochat, pleaded guilty to drug supply charges and was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison.
The shooting incident that Lewis was also sentenced for took place at a Shell garage in Birkenhead in November 2019. Lewis was identified as being the rider of a Suzuki motorbike, and it is believed that the shooting was part of an ongoing feud between organized crime groups based in the Woodchurch and Beechwood/Ford estates in Wirral.
In addition to his 24-year prison sentence, Lewis was ordered to serve a further five years on license as a dangerous offender. The victim of the shooting, Jack Hayes, sustained three gunshot wounds and required hospital treatment.
This case highlights the significant role of mobile encryption services, such as Encrochat, in facilitating criminal activities. The police, through Operation Venetic, have been relentless in their pursuit of individuals involved in drug supply and weapon-related crimes. Members of the community are urged to report any information about drug supply or gang-related activities to the police or Crimestoppers anonymously.
The sentencing of Lewis and Delap sends a strong message to those involved in drug supply and the use of weapons that they will be pursued, apprehended, and face lengthy prison sentences. Merseyside Police will continue to work with partners to combat organized crime and endeavor to regenerate areas that have been affected by gang activity.
The case also serves as a reminder of the destructive nature of drug supply and the serious violence associated with such criminality. The police are committed to using all available powers and legislation to tackle organized crime groups and protect communities from the harm they cause.
