Acting police chief David Warcup

AFTER weeks of damning criticism and abuse from defence lawyers, the States of Jersey police are celebrating the capture and conviction of Britain’s biggest drug baron.

Acting police chief David Warcup said that the conviction of Curtis Warren and his five associates marked the end of a complex police operation, which had seen officers from the States of Jersey Police, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, Merseyside Police, and authorities in France, Holland and Belgium working together to secure a successful prosecution.

‘We hope that the conviction of the men sends out a clear message to others that we will continue to tackle those responsible for the importation of drugs into the Island,’ said Mr Warcup, after they were unanimously found guilty yesterday.

‘The conviction is also a reflection of the hard work, dedication and commitment of all the officers and agencies involved in this inquiry.’

Curtis Warren (46) of Liverpool and Jersey residents John Welsh (43), James O’Brien (45), Jason Woodward (22) Paul Hunt (27) and Oliver Lucas (23) were yesterday found guilty by a jury of plotting to flood the Island with £1 million of cannabis.