Mother of drug dealer caught “red handed” sitting on bed next to bags of cash during police search.
The group trafficked heroin and cocaine across the UK. They transported hundreds of kilos, and the members received over 50 years in jail total.
The case went back to court for seizing their criminal profits. Causer made over £11 million, but only about £3,730 was found when he was arrested. The judge ordered that amount seized, stating if he gets more money, police can take it.
Another person, Shacklady, gained £1,245,000 but had no money. The court issued a nominal £1 order. John Germaine made over £12 million, and Daniel Healey pocketed over £700,000. They also got nominal £1 orders as they had no assets the court could take at the time.
Police searched Shacklady’s house in 2021, and Shacklady’s partner sat on a bed with stacks of cash next to her. This happened during the search of the house, and the police said she was caught “red handed.” Bags of cash were at her feet, and rubber bands were on the other side.
Police found over £481,000 there, and Germaine’s fingerprints were on the cash bags. Before the raid, Shacklady texted Germaine and asked for rubber bands because he was out.
Police seized cannabis worth about £40,000 and found drug dealing records. The records mentioned 360kg of cocaine and 25kg of heroin.
They moved £1.4 million, and Causer’s fingerprints were on them too. The money at Shacklady’s house was just a small piece of the operation. Shacklady’s van had a hidden compartment under the floorboards with a switch to open it, police noticed.
Cameras tracked the van all over Northern England. It traveled to many towns and cities, including Manchester, Derby, and Darlington.
Police searched Germaine’s storage unit and found 9kg of pure cocaine. Germaine got over nine years in jail in 2022 for drugs and criminal property.
Healey was known as “Morc” and maintained a “safehouse.” He contacted Shacklady, Causer and Germaine a lot, with the calls totaling almost seven hours. Healey got kilos of drugs from them, and the van went to his town 14 times.
Shacklady said someone stored items at his house. He claimed he only knew about money and did not know about drugs, stating his partner was not involved. Germaine said he knew the police were coming, owing money to people in Liverpool. He started doing drug runs for £150 each time, going as far as Portsmouth.
Causer said nothing to police, while his mom said the cash wasn’t hers, except for £6,000 in her bag, and £11,400, which she said was her savings.
Healey said he changed his phone number a lot because of his “on and off” relationship. He admitted drug use in the past, but denied selling any drugs. He did not recognize the others except Causer, who he knew as “Melv” or “Merv.”
He bought a car from Causer in 2021 for £8,500 cash, meeting him at a gym. Shacklady admitted to drug dealing and possession, getting ten-and-a-half years in prison.
Germaine and Causer admitted conspiracy to supply drugs. They received over 11 years and 18 years respectively, while Heeley admitted conspiracy to supply drugs and was jailed for 15 years. Melville admitted possession of criminal property and got a suspended sentence.
The judge said it was a big, active drug business, and they sold cocaine, sometimes heroin, supplying drugs widely. It flourished for months, police found, and the records showed a major operation comparable to other big drug cases.
The judge told Causer he ran the drug business, stating the records showed his involvement very well. The judge told Melville she knew about the drugs, as her son kept records and money in her home. She knew what her son and partner were doing.
The Judge noted her good character and health issues, knowing she had heart issues and mental health issues.
Causer hugged his mom before going to jail, telling his supporters he would see them soon.