'Greedy' crime boss and gang members are jailed

From left, Joe Hatherall, 32, Ben Bicknell, 37, Dean Chick, 37, and Stefan Dann, 33, were involved in dealing class A drugs across Bristol and the wider region

- STAFF REPORTER

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

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 had 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”.