Seven members of a drugs gang who were involved in transporting cocaine into Preston and then distributing it, have been given prison sentences totalling nearly 50 years.
Lancashire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit launched a covert operation into the gang between April 2022 and March 2023.
The gang was headed by Daniel Roccia (pictured main) who used family members, friends and associates, to assist him with his enterprise.
Several kilos of cocaine were transported into Preston by them, with it then spilt for onward distributed within the city and to Carnforth and Carlisle.
At various stages of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit’s investigation, blocks of high-purity cocaine were seized.
Roccia (36) of Sherwood Avenue, Leyland, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs on the day his trial was due to begin in May last year, having previously denied the offence.
At Preston Crown Court last week (January 23 and 24), Roccia was jailed for 12 years and four months.
During the sentencing hearing, he admitted to the movement of 8kg of cocaine.
Seven people were sentenced alongside Roccia, by Judge Richard Archer, with six of them sent to prison.
- David Taylor (38) of Dewhurst Avenue, Blackpool, was jailed for seven years and six months.
- Dean Roccia (42) of Miller Road, Preston, was jailed for seven years and two months.
- Jodie Roccia (28) of Arnold Close, Ribbleton, Preston, was jailed for six years and 10 months.
- Andrew Lockhart (31) of Holland House Road, Walton-le-Dale, Preston, was jailed for five years and nine months.
- Darren Stanley (54) of Bennetts Lane, Blackpool, was jailed for five years.
- Danielle Walton (35) of Miller Road, Preston, was jailed for four years and 11 months.
They all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs at various stages of the court process prior to sentencing.
Craig Whittle (44) of Glendale Grove, Ribbleton, Preston, pleaded guilty to permitting premises to be used to store controlled drugs and possession of an offensive weapon. He was given a 24-week sentence, suspended for 12 months.
Complex investigation
Detective sergeant Stuart Dean of Lancashire Police, said: “This was a complex covert investigation into a large group of individuals which to some extent was a family affair.
“Key individuals played their part to ensure that Class A drugs were transported into Preston and split accordingly to other key members in Preston, Carnforth and Carlisle.
“I’m pleased with the sentences handed out by the judge. Illegal drugs have a significant impact on communities.
“In Lancashire we take such offences extremely seriously and we will target organised criminality to disrupt, seize and put offenders before the court.
“I would like to thank the Crown Prosecution Service who I have worked closely with over the last 18 months to bring this case before the court.”
A further sentencing hearing will follow in February for other offenders who were involved in the drugs conspiracy.
