Two men have been sentenced to a combined seven years in prison after running a sophisticated cannabis and cocaine distribution network via social media.[1][2]
Jake Lowe, 28, was spotted naked perched on a fence near his Wigan home after fleeing through a window during the 23 July Operation Vanguard raids; Joseph Knockton, 30, was arrested at his Rainhill address.[1][2] Project Medusa officers found the pair selling over nine kilograms of cannabis in 26 days through WhatsApp and Instagram in branded packaging, turning over about £150,000 a month; raids recovered over 4 kg of cannabis worth £66,000, cocaine, £30,000 cash, a Rolex, a knuckle duster and a Taser.[1][2] Lowe pleaded guilty to cannabis-supply, cannabis-possession, cocaine-possession and criminal-property counts; Knockton to cannabis-supply and criminal-property counts.[2] At Liverpool Crown Court, Lowe received four years and Knockton three years.[1][2]