One of the UK’s most wanted men has been jailed for his role in the supply of drugs and firearms in Cheshire.
Dean Garforth (31) of Regency Park, Widnes, had been on the run for two years but finally sentenced to 19 years and six months in prison at Chester Crown Court.
He operated at the top of the chain, using the EncroChat communications network to discuss the supply of Class A and Class B drugs with other criminals.
Detectives monitored messages he was sending under the handle ‘Slickcliff’.
In May 2022, police pursued and lost sight of a white Ford Transit Van that failed to stop on Bradley Way, Widnes. The vehicle was eventually found parked and secure on Norlands Park.
A mobile phone forensically linked to Garforth was recovered following a search of the vehicle. The device had been used to send messages through the now defunct encrypted comms platform EncroChat.
From March 2020 and July 2020, Garforth spoke to associates about receiving and arranging for deliveries of cocaine, cannabis, firearms and ammunition around the North West.
In October 2020, a warrant was executed at Garforth’s house but police found he had fled the country to Spain and was actively evading arrest.
Over the next two years, officers spent hundreds of hours searching for Garforth, working with law enforcement colleagues in Spain.
Crimestoppers launched a new Most Wanted campaign featuring 12 fugitives who were believed to be hiding in Spain.
In October 2022, Garforth was riding an e-bike on a street in Nueva Andalucia, Marbella, when he was arrested in a pre-planned operation.
When he realised plain-clothed officers were closing in, Garforth, who was wearing sports clothes, sunglasses, and a cap, rode the bike into an officer and resisted arrest.
He was located and arrested after an operation by the National Crime Agency, Spanish National Police, and Cheshire Police.
Garforth was subsequently extradited from Spain to the UK in March 2023. On his return, he was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis, and conspiracy to supply weapons and ammunition.
Watching detectives
“Unbeknown to him, our detectives were watching – gathering evidence of his involvement in an organised crime group that sold and distributed significant quantities of Class A and B drugs.
“The encrypted device was previously perceived as being an untouchable way of communicating freely about criminality without being detected by police. Once it was cracked by law enforcement, it meant those using it would find it almost impossible to deny their involvement in serious and organised crime.
“Garforth also discussed where his OCG had hidden deadly weapons, with instructions on how to find them. These included semi-automatic assault rifles and pistols.
“Across our borders, we have witnessed the utter devastation and destruction that these firearms can bring, and I am overjoyed that another dangerous individual, who possessed and transferred guns in our county, is now facing severe consequences.
“This has been an extremely thorough and complex investigation, involving multiple partner agencies, but thanks to the work of our detectives who the analysed the messages, and an operation undertaken by law enforcement to have him extradited to the UK, Garforth is finally behind bars where he belongs.”
