'Life of luxury' Crime boss and gang members jailed over drug conspiracy

THE luxurious lifestyle of the "greedy" boss of a Bristol drugs ring has come to an end.

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Joe Hatherall was found to have played a “leading role” in a lucrative operation involved in the supply of class A drugs across the South West.

Hatherall, along with three other people involved in the supply of multi-kilo amounts of cocaine and heroin, were sentenced on Friday at Bristol Crown Court following an investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU).

The 32-year-old, formerly of Emersons Green, splurged his illicit income on high-end goods such as a jet ski, fast cars and designer clothes, police said. Officers seized around 10 kilos of cocaine and four kilos of heroin during the investigation, which would have a street value of over £1million.

Following the sentencing, Det Chief Insp Adam Smith said Hatherall's actions were driven by “greed” and a “desire to live a life of luxury”.

He added: “Through a range of tactics my team were able to evidence Hatherall's criminal activity and that of his associates. As a result, his OCG [organised crime group] has been dismantled and cocaine and heroin prevented from reaching communities within our region.