'Ronin' Gang Smashed

An armed gang, who planned to import £10 million worth of cocaine while also targeting security vans, was smashed after a huge joint-police undercover surveillance operation by the Serious and Organised Crime Command and Flying Squad.

The criminal network was suspected of plotting to rob armoured vans in Hertfordshire in November 2007 and it’s ringleader also began organizing the drugs run via a private yacht renamed ‘Ronin’.

All six members of the gang are either serving prison terms or facing sentencing on January 18, next year.

They are: (pictured from top to bottom) ringleader Patrick Walsh, 48, of Blairhead Drive, Watford, Hertfordshire, who pleaded guilty to conspiring to import 91.3 kilos of cocaine, possessing a handgun and ammunition with intent to commit an indictable offence (robbery) and conspiring to commit a cash in transit robbery.

John Dunlop, 52, of Silchester Road, St. Leonard’s-On-Sea, East Sussex, was jailed for eight years for possessing two firearms and 213 rounds of ammunition and will be sentenced for of conspiracy to commit robbery.

William Cannon, 49, of South End Road, Rainham, Essex, received five years possessing three firearms and 271 rounds of ammunition. 
He was cleared of conspiracy to import 91.3 kilos of cocaine.

Joseph Gorgin, 28, of Bohemia Road, St Leonard’s-on-Sea, East Sussex, received five years for possessing two firearms and 213 rounds of ammunition.

David Coxon, 53, of Middle Street, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import 91.3 kilos of cocaine and awaits sentencing.

Douglas Wood, 59, of Waldershare Avenue, Sandwich Bay, Sandwich, Kent was found guilty of conspiracy to import 91.3 kilos of cocaine and awaits sentencing.

Walsh made repeated trips to Trinidad, Tobago, Barbados and Grenada using a false name – sometimes with Coxon – and Wood often joined them.

Walsh and Coxon checked-out a number of yachts in Trinidad, settling on the $40,500 ‘FiFi’, which they later renamed ‘Ronin’ after the legendary band of Samurai warriors.

They planned crimes at meeting spots such as a burger stall in Lakeside, Thurrock, Essex, at a garden centre in Goffs Oak, Waltham Forrest, and at the Doncaster services on the MI when they attempted to conduct anti-surveillance tactics.

On July 20, last year, Coxon and Wood set sail from Grenada, falsely telling customs they were heading to Brazil and headed for Bartica, Guyana where they picked up 91.3 kilos of high quality cocaine straight from the South American jungle.

Meanwhile police in the UK were watching other gang members and on August 21 Cannon met Gorgin and handed him a plastic bag containing two revolvers – one loaded with four bullets – plus 213 rounds of ammo.

Gorgin then met Dunlop in a café and armed police stopped the car in Barking Road, Plaistow, arresting the pair.

Walsh was arrested on September 5 at a Total petrol station in Denham, Hertfordshire, where a cash delivery was due.

As armed officers moved in and arrested him Walsh dropped an ammo magazine and rounds to the floor.

When searched a pistol was found in his pocket and a gun fell out of his trouser leg and inside Walsh’s van were two balaclavas, laundry bags, gloves and a large bottle of urine.

Later the same day police arrested Cannon and found his keys opened a lock up in Geoffrey Gardens, East Ham, where a black revolver in a holster was recovered along with 58 rounds of ammunition, a blank passport and other counterfeit documents.

Unsuspecting Coxon and Wood were now heading for Portsmouth and police called in the assistance of the UK Borders Agency and the Royal Navy to stop their boat 15 miles off the Devon and Cornwall coast in the early hours of September 12.

Searches of the yacht found 91.3 kilos of cocaine with a street value of £10 million.

Detective Superintendent Bob Cummings, from the Serious and Organised Crime Command, said: "This investigation shows how the Met will use all the opportunities open to us to ensure that no matter how many pies criminals try to have their fingers in then we will be there to ensure that guns are taken off the streets, drugs are stopped from reaching our shores and cash in transit deliveries can go about their lawful business without criminal threats.

"This was a complex international and UK operation that involved close working with a range of partner organisations.

“The Met is a specialist in this type of investigation and the successful conclusion today demonstrates how the UK will not tolerate criminals seeking to bring harm to our streets."