Wayne Cleaver, leading Joanne Eley, secures final convictions in Operation Raptor

Operation Raptor was the culmination of a large scale under-cover police investigation into ‘county lines’ Class A drug trafficking extending from London to Crewe, Bangor, and Norwich. The supply network was far reaching and highly organised resulting in the arrest of over twenty suspects. The case involved the presentation of a myriad of detailed phone material, covert observations, and test purchases. The trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, which lasted six weeks, saw the conviction of the final and leading conspirators in this nationwide criminal enterprise. The Trial Judge observed that this was “a serious and well organised conspiracy requiring serious deterrent sentences”. Wayne and Joanne were instructed by Essex CCU as part of Operation Raptor.