Sefton Men Among 24/7 Cocaine Gang Jailed for Over 63 Years

Eight members of a 24/7 cocaine supply gang have been jailed for a combined total of 63 years and eight months following a major investigation by specialist officers.

Paul Lockyer, 42, of #Birkdale, Merseyside, who played a leading role in the organised crime group, and his seven Merseyside-based accomplices were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

The investigation was carried out by the Merseyside Organised Crime Partnership, a specialist unit comprising officers from the National Crime Agency and Merseyside Police.

The group operated a highly organised, round-the-clock cocaine supply line across Liverpool, selling both high-purity ‘flake’ cocaine and adulterated ‘mix’. Members worked in shifts to fulfil hundreds of daily orders, storing drugs at various properties across the city.

In November 2023, the gang sent a promotional message to around 9,000 customers using their so-called ‘graft phone’, offering a discounted deal on cocaine to mark the release of the kidnapped father of former Liverpool FC forward Luis Diaz. His father had been held captive for 13 days by Colombian guerrillas.

The message stated:

“3 for £75 for the next hour to celebrate Luis Diaz dad getting released in the Colombian jungle…”

Lockyer, known within the group as “the big fella”, worked closely with his right-hand man James Neary, 57, of no fixed abode. Together they coordinated a network of dealers responsible for producing, selling and supplying cocaine across the region.

Officers believe Lockyer used profits from the drug trade to fund a luxury lifestyle, wearing designer jewellery and clothing, holidaying on private yachts and driving expensive vehicles.

Unbeknown to the group, investigators had been closely monitoring their activities, observing members meeting to collect drugs and exchange the mobile phone used to take orders 24 hours a day.

Paul McArdle, 33, of #Netherton, was identified as one of the main operators of the graft phone and organised cocaine deliveries.

Christopher Horrocks, 46, of Sefton, and Stephen Lynch, 38, of #Netherton, managed drug deals and the re-stocking of cocaine. Horrocks was also responsible for keeping the phone topped up so it could remain active at all times.

Michelle Higgins, 39, stored a central supply of cocaine at her home address on Clock Tower Drive, Liverpool, where orders were prepared.

Lee Nugent, 46, of Sefton, acted as a dealer, while his partner Julie McCafferty, 43, helped run the graft phone, prepared drugs and instructed group members where to deliver them.

On 6 May 2025, officers executed warrants at a number of addresses linked to the group and arrested all eight members. Lockyer and Neary were arrested at Higgins’ address, where officers found the graft phone in the kitchen alongside a one-kilogram block of cocaine and a large quantity of adulterant.

Across the investigation, officers recovered 874 grams of cocaine with an estimated street value of £89,000, as well as drug-mixing equipment and approximately £3,500 in cash, believed to be profits from drug sales.

Investigators found more than 9,000 contacts saved on the graft phone, believed to be customers. Thousands of messages were recovered detailing hundreds of drug sales each day, alongside advertising for special offers and “delivery to your door”. In one AI-generated video, the group even promoted a Christmas discount on ‘flake’ cocaine.

A drugs expert giving evidence in the case stated that he had “never encountered a drugs line as well run”. It is estimated that between October 2023 and May 2025, the group supplied at least 9.9 kilograms of cocaine, generating more than £620,000.

NCA Senior Manager Jon Hughes, of Merseyside OCP, said:

“The group’s criminal enterprise was like a fast food delivery service for drugs, with cocaine rapidly dispatched to hundreds of people every day and promotions offered that would keep people coming back for more.”

“The cocaine trade causes significant harm, including fuelling horrendous violence on our streets. Every order this group fulfilled caused more harm to people and communities in Liverpool. It’s really significant that we have shut down Lockyer’s illicit business and ensured its members are now behind bars.”

All eight defendants were sentenced on 9 February, having pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs on 10 June 2025.