Brother of murdered teen part of Norwich county lines gang

Edward Quigley, 23, was a 'phone holder' for the so-called 'Lewis' line, which supplied more than 4.3kg of heroin and cocaine for addicts across the city between December 2021 and June last year.

Edward Quigley (Image: Norfolk Police)Norwich Crown Court heard that Quigley, who had been arrested as part of an operation to take down the gang, was permitted to attend the funeral of his brother Raymond, known as James, who died after being stabbed in Ipswich in January this year.

Raymond James Quigley, inset, and scene of fatal stabbing in Ipswich (Image: Newsquest)Edward Quigley was among 11 people who appeared in court to be sentenced over their involvement in the county line.

Norwich drugs gang members who have been jailed for more than 25 years (Image: Norfolk Police)Duncan O'Donnell, prosecuting, said Quigley was one of the line's three phone holders - gang members responsible for overseeing drug dealing via its main mobile phone.

Police found that it was used for a total of 67,000 calls and 12,000 text messages between December 2021 and June 2022, with the gang selling a total of 4.3kg of Class A drugs, with a street value of between £172,000 to £301,000.

The court heard how the Lewis line would send out text messages to customers that they were “actv all day/night best of both”, meaning they were up and running for orders of crack cocaine and heroin.

Quigley, from Petunia Court, Wymondham, took over the phone from Liam Bolt, 20, and Tyler Murphy, 22, with the three men each having control of it at different times during the police investigation into the gang.

Officers started their investigation in December 2021 after discovering a drugs phone was operating in Norwich supplying and distributing crack and heroin using the brand name ‘Lewis’.

Further surveillance and information revealed that dealing was taking place out of a flat in Burleigh Tower, on the Heartsease estate. Police raided the property on January 11, 2022.

Burleigh Tower, Norwich (Image: Newsquest)During the raid, gang member George Doyle, 22, who was at the address, threw drugs and cash from the balcony after officers burst in.

Wraps of heroin and cocaine as well as £855 in cash and a hunting knife were also found.

Following the raid, the drug dealing operation moved to Smeat Street, in Bowthorpe, with gang members Scott Bodily, 43, Lee Cook, 42, and Calvin Garwe, 23, all involved.

The phone line continued to operate and Don Coughlin, 52, allowed his home in Seaman Tower, on the Mile Cross estate, to be used by Bolt and others as part of their activities.

Seaman Tower, Norwich (Image: Google)The flat was raided by police on June 7 last year, with officers finding cash as well as wraps of heroin and cocaine hidden in a cat litter tray on the balcony. A machete was also discovered.

It was at this point that Quigley took over the running of the phone line. But he was arrested at his home in Wymondham on June 17 last year.

Mr O'Donnell said Bolt was the "principal line holder" who made "multiple trips" across Norwich as part of the operation, while Murphy and Quigley also took control of the line.

Liam Bolt (Image: Norfolk Police)Eight members of the gang were today jailed for more than a combined 25 years by Judge Alice Robinson, after admitting conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine.

Judge Alice Robinson (Image: Newsquest)Bolt, of no fixed abode, who was said to have a significant role, was sentenced to five years and seven months in youth detention.

Quigley was jailed for a total of three years and four months and Murphy, of Earlham Green Lane, was jailed for three years and nine months.

Tyler Murphy (Image: Norfolk Police)Also sentenced was Jamie Proctor, 22, of Maidstone Road, who received a sentence of three years and nine months.

Garwe, of The Ridings, was given a total of two years and 146 days for the offence as well as a separate possession of a weapon in a public place offence and Cook, of Wilks Farm Drive, was jailed for two years and three months.

Meanwhile Chloe Levy, 33, and Nigel Bestford, 44, both of Munnings Road, Norwich, who admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine were jailed for two years and 20 weeks and two years and four months respectively.

Doyle, of King Street, who admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine as well as a separate offence of affray was given a 22 month sentence suspended for 18 months.

Requirements of the order include 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) and 150 hours unpaid work,

Bodily, of Ipswich Road, was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months after he admitted two counts of being concerned in the supply of drugs.

He must also complete up to 20 days RAR and a 12-month drug rehabilitation requirement (DRR).

Coughlin, now of Lefroy Road, was given seven months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months after he admitted allowing his premises to be used for the supply of heroin and cocaine.

He must also do 20 days RAR and up to 120 hours unpaid work.

Speaking after the case, Detective Inspector Craig Bidwell said: "This was a complex and lengthy investigation into a wide-reaching group of individuals that were responsible for distributing drugs across Norwich."

He added: "Norfolk police remain committed to identifying, locating and pursuing all those responsible for supplying drugs while supporting those who are vulnerable to exploitation."

Anyone with concerns about drug supply can call 101 or report it anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800555111.

* Alfie Hammett, 18, of Larkhill Rise, Rushmere St Andrew and Joshua Howell, also 18, of Wellington Street, Ipswich, are due to stand trial at Ipswich Crown Court on December 11 having been charged with the murder of James Quigley.