Lancashire’s fight against drug crime has seen a steady stream of convictions this year, with offenders jailed for everything from county lines dealing to large-scale importation and supply.
Scroll through to see the latest faces of those brought to justice in 2025 so far:
7. Usman Akhter, Arek Matjeko, T-Jay Russell and James Sneath
Usman Akhter, 40, a serving prisoner at HMP Ranby, ran a drug operation smuggling Class A and B drugs into East Lancashire and prison. He was jailed for six years. Co-conspirators Arek Matjeko (7 years 8 months) and T-Jay Russell (4 years) were among those sentenced to over 18 years collectively. | Lancashire Police
8. Hafeez Hussain
Hafeez Hussain, 53, of no fixed address, was jailed for four and a half years after being caught twice in Preston with cocaine and crack cocaine. Police also found knives and cash during separate stops. | Lancashire Police
9. Emily Coulton
Emily Coulton, 44, of no fixed address, was jailed for four years after being caught with cocaine and £6,465 in cash in Lancaster city centre. Police found further drugs and paraphernalia in her room. | Lancashire Police
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10. Ali Zaman
Ali Zaman, 19, of Hermitage Street, Rishton, was jailed for three years and two months after reversing away from officers in Blackburn and being caught with heroin and crack cocaine worth £1,080. | Lancashire Police
11. Craig Simpson
Craig Simpson, 39, of Cooper Close, Fleetwood, was jailed for eight months for smuggling cannabis resin into HMP Preston inside his shoes during a prison visit. | Lancashire Police
12. Gang flooded Preston’s streets with cocaine
Liam Davies, 36, Samuel Higgins, 39, and three others were jailed for over 25 years for supplying cocaine in Preston, Carnforth and Carlisle. The group was part of a network linked to ringleader Daniel Roccia, previously jailed for 12 years. | Lancashire Police