Liverpool drugs gang jailed for 60 years after £1.6m seizure

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 27 Oct, 21:38 · Archive

Seven members of a south Liverpool organised crime group have been jailed for a combined 60 years after police seized drugs and cash worth over £1.6 million.

Seven members of a south Liverpool drugs gang have been jailed for a combined 60 years after police seized drugs and cash worth over £1.6 million. The organised crime group, headed by Craig Clifton, 40, supplied cocaine, heroin and cannabis from 2018 until their operation was dismantled in November 2025. Police recovered 82kg of cannabis, 4.3kg of cocaine and 0.5kg of heroin, with an estimated street value between £1.0 million and £1.67 million, along with £187,809 in cash.

The gang operated three separate phones offering drugs for sale. One line alone had 877 saved contacts and was said to have an "annual earning potential" of up to £1 million per year. Clifton was responsible for purchasing wholesale amounts of drugs for street-level distribution. According to the Liverpool Echo, members laundered profits through artwork purchases and a portfolio of properties, with Clifton using his mother's property company to wash the proceeds of his business.

Clifton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply controlled drugs, possessing criminal property, money laundering offences and breaching a suspended sentence order. He received an 18-year sentence. Sam Murphy, identified as Clifton's "right hand man", was among the other six gang members sentenced. Police executed multiple warrants across the Liverpool area on 13 November 2025, leading to the arrests and subsequent prosecutions.

How it is being reported

• £1million-a-year drugs gang laundered profits via artwork and portfolio of propertiesCocaine, heroin and cannabis worth up to £1.6million was seized from an organised crime group headed by Craig CliftonLiverpool Echo · 27 Oct, 17:56
• South Liverpool drug gang jailed for 60 years after £1.6m haul seizedSeven members of a south Liverpool drugs gang jailed for 60 years after police seized £1.67m of cocaine, heroin and cannabis, plus £187,809 cash.Wirral Globe · 27 Oct, 14:53
• Liverpool gang made £1m a year shipping huge amounts of drugsMembers of the organised crime group have been jailed for 60 years after police recovered cocaine, heroin and cannabis worth up to £1.67millionLiverpool Echo · 27 Oct, 14:00

In this story: Craig Clifton · Sam Murphy · Merseyside Police · Liverpool Crown Court · South Liverpool · Liverpool

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