Kim Obrusik and Holly Nelson Secure Significant Sentences in Blackburn Drug Gang Case

Kim Obrusik, leading Holly Nelson, prosecuted an organised crime group that supplied cocaine across East Lancashire for almost five years. On 20 May at Preston Crown Court, five members were sentenced for conspiracy to supply cocaine and money laundering offences and received a combined total of more than 40 years’ imprisonment.

Gang leader Nico Moorby, 31, named the group’s drug line after his Staffordshire bull terrier, “Pablo”. He also tried to disguise the proceeds of crime by claiming the money came from a dog-breeding business. The prosecution case was that Moorby and his associates made substantial profits from supplying cocaine across the region and used a WhatsApp group, “The Firm”, to arrange sales with customers.

Moorby was identified as the head of the organised crime group, with Luke Johnson acting as his close associate. Investigators described Moorby as both the leader and the gang’s enforcer, using threats and intimidation against users who failed to pay drug debts on time.

During the investigation, three gang members fled to Spain in an attempt to avoid arrest.

Luke Johnson and Elliot Cooke were arrested in Spain in February last year. Luke Bunten was arrested there in March this year before being returned to the UK.

A sixth gang member, Dexter Slater, is due to be sentenced next month.

For more information, or to instruct Kim Obrusik or Holly Nelson please contact, Senior Criminal Clerk, Andy McGuinness.