Brothers running a drug empire faced justice after a Thai arrest, fueled by informant secrets and lavish spending.
The brothers’ drug operation was worth millions. Besides cocaine, they manufactured amphetamines inside a Rock Ferry shop. A police informant, Ronnie Bateman, exposed them. The brothers fled the UK, but police caught them.
The brothers chose UK prison over a Thai jail. Joseph was the group’s leader. He directed the drug operation remotely, telling others to make, store, and deliver drugs. His gang sold drugs across England and Scotland.
Joseph lived in Spain often. He traveled to Ibiza, Tenerife, Holland, and America. Gregory, the younger brother, had a “leading role.” He managed drivers and gave instructions. Phone records linked him to drug dealers and he paid no taxes for five years. He traveled lots.
The gang made at least 200,000 ecstasy pills, hiding them in a Birkenhead cellar. They shipped drugs to Scotland and southern England. The gang used encrypted phones for secret chats and their cars had hidden compartments for drugs and money.
Drivers earned £1,000 per delivery. They brought back money from the drug sales. They often picked up five kilos of drugs. Sometimes, they transported ten or even eighteen kilos of cocaine.
The gang also ran an amphetamine factory in an empty shop. Bateman collected chemicals for the drug and learned how to make amphetamine. The lab moved to a home in Spital. The drug production was risky for everyone involved.
Police investigated with “Operation Manhattan.” Bateman, a former gang member, helped them. He revealed the gang’s secrets to the police.
Bateman’s account matched the police findings. He showed the gang’s mechanics and explained how they kept secrets. He stated that the divisions operated separately.
Police seized drugs and cash, including cocaine, MDMA, amphetamine, and cannabis. They also arrested many gang members. The Mulhare brothers left the UK before the arrests.
Joseph left first, in July 2017. Gregory followed in September. They met in Morocco and flew to Thailand. They also traveled to Turkey, reentered Morocco and flew again to Thailand.
Thai police arrested them in November 2018. Officers raided their hotel room. The brothers chose to face UK justice.
Bateman admitted to collecting amphetamine oil in 2016. He stated that the gang produced 200 kilos of amphetamine. He sent drugs by courier, disguised as eBay deliveries.
Bateman stated Joseph was “top of the tree” and that he reported to Joseph only. He owed the gang £100,000 and hid cash in a cooker.
Bateman met with Joseph and exposed the gang’s secrets. His testimony impacted his prison status, and he received protection in jail.
Security was tight when Bateman went to court. He gave an explicit account of the gang, revealing the inner workings of the operation.
Bateman received a reduced sentence for his assistance. The judge lowered his sentence significantly.
The Mulhare brothers confessed to drug crimes. Joseph also admitted to drug plots in Scotland. Joseph received fifteen years in prison, while Gregory got twelve years and shouted upon sentencing.
Another gang member, Paul Fehily, got 14 years. Police sentenced 24 people in the case.
Police said Joseph and Gregory masterminded the drug operation. Detective Chief Inspector Ian Hussey spoke after the case. The brothers caused misery across the UK and they profited from illegal drug sales.