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Crime Desk
A gang who dealt large quantities of cocaine and cannabis, while some of them claimed £60,000 of housing benefit fraudulently, has been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison.
Yesterday, 17 November, six people were sentenced to a total of 15 years and 9 months at Kingston Crown Court for their involvement in a sophisticated criminal network responsible for the distribution and supply of drugs, along with money laundering and fraud.
During an operation which ran for 18 months, Metropolitan Police Service officers recovered 10 kilos of cocaine and cannabis with a street value in excess of £250,000.
The gang is thought to have been running their operation within Hammersmith & Fulham borough for the last 10 years and had enlisted the help of other criminal networks along the south coast, and in Essex and Manchester.
Two of the defendants were also convicted of obtaining £60,000 of housing benefit fraudulently between 2005 and 2010.
The below all pleaded guilty at Kingston Crown Court and received the following sentences:
Michael Lawrence, 42 (14.03.68), of Grange Road, Chessington, Surrey, was convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to launder money, benefit fraud and mortgage fraud and was sentenced to eight years and six months imprisonment.
Adam Gale, 31 (25.04.79), of Henchman Street, London W12, was convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine and was sentenced to three years and three months imprisonment.
Elliott Blackburne, 25 (28.08.85), of Ayshford Close, Altrincham, Cheshire, was convicted of conspiracy to launder money and possession with intent to supply cannabis resin and was sentenced to 31 months imprisonment.
Tracy Lucas, 44 (04.10.66), years of Grange Road, Chessington, Surrey, was convicted of benefit fraud and was sentenced to seven months imprisonment.
James Lawrence, 44 (02.02.66), of Moor Lane, Chessington, Surrey, was convicted of money laundering by possessing criminal property, and possession of a prohibited weapon, and was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment.
Sandra Lawrence, 45 (07.02.65), of Ravensworth Court, London SW6, was convicted of money laundering by transferring criminal property and was given a 12-month community order.
Detective Sergeant Simon Rogers of the MPS said: "These people were brought to justice as a result of the dedication and tenacity of the officers involved working with Hammersmith Council's Anti-Fraud team. Investigations into the assets of this network continue."
The sentences are the result of a lengthy pro-active drugs investigation that began in May 2009 and was codenamed 'Operation Flatland' - aimed at targeting the supply of Class A and B drugs on Hammersmith and Fulham borough.
The investigation revealed that Michael Lawrence and his common law wife, Tracy Lucas, were making a substantial amount of money from dealing drugs whilst claiming benefits from the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham.
So much profit had been made that the pair purchased a £365,000 house in Surrey whilst continuing to claim benefits, and enquiries showed that over £500,000 had been through accounts attributed to Lawrence and Lucas. Between them they spent £37,550.35 on overseas travel to Orlando and Mexico whilst they claimed housing benefit.
In total Michael Lawrence and Tracy Lucas obtained £60,358.94 (£35,589.90 for the former and £24,769.94 for the latter) in housing benefit.
On 21 October 2009, police obtained and executed a series of search warrants at addresses in west London and Surrey that had direct links to Lawrence and Lucas. Approximately 1.5 kilos of cocaine was recovered from an address in Henchman Street, Shepherds Bush, as well as 25kg Lignocaine - commonly used as a cutting agent in the division and onward supply of cocaine. This address had direct links to Michael Lawrence and Adam Gale.
The home address of Lawrence in Chessington, Surrey, was also raided. This led to half a kilo of cocaine, cutting agent and £3,000 cash being seized. Another address, also in Chessington, was raided and £8,000 in cash was seized.
During the subsequent enquiries an account number was discovered, handwritten in a diary recovered during the search of an address in Grange Road, Chessington. This account was traced to an elderly, invalided male with links to Elliott Blackburne.
A financial investigation showed a very large amount of cash being moved through accounts linked to Blackburne and evidence of money being received and sent between him and Michael Lawrence.
On 2 December 2009, Michael Lawrence, Tracy Lucas, James Lawrence and Adam Gale were charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, money laundering and various fraud charges.
On 27 January 2010, officers from the Hammersmith and Fulham's Drugs Squad, assisted by Greater Manchester Police, attended the home address of Blackburne in Altrincham, Cheshire.
A search of the property uncovered a shoe box in the boot of a car on the driveway which contained a number of solid blocks wrapped in brown tape. This was examined and found to be cannabis resin with a total weight of 8.56 Kilograms, with an estimated value of £20,000.
Blackburne was arrested at the premises and subsequently charged on 28 January 2025 with possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, namely cannabis resin, and money laundering. He was remanded into custody.
Further investigation revealed a further member of the criminal network, Sandra Lawrence (sister of Michael), had deposited £10,000 in cash in two accounts linked to Blackburne.
On 1 April 2024 police arrested Sandra Lawrence for money laundering at her home address and the property was searched. Officers recovered a mobile phone used to communicate with Michael Lawrence and a number of documents in the name of 'S Lauren'. These appear to relate to a phone account for Miss Lawrence's home address that has been registered in the name 'Miss S Lauren'. The two paying-in slips for the money transferred to Elliott Blackburne were signed by 'S Lauren'.
On 18 May 2024 Sandra Lawrence was charged with two counts of money laundering.
Due to the weight of evidence collected against them by police, all the defendants pleaded guilty to the counts listed above during various stages of the judicial process.
The financial investigation into those involved continues.
Detective Sergeant Richard Gilbert, a Financial Investigator based in Hammersmith and Fulham's Payback Unit, said: "This operation demonstrates how effective joint working can be. The Proceeds of Crime Act is a powerful tool in our armory and we have used it to full effect in this case. The confiscation investigations continue and we aim to ensure that those sentenced today do not profit from money earned illegally by dealing drugs and defrauding the public purse."
Hammersmith and Fulham Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Kevin Hurley, said: "Hammersmith and Fulham Police, together with the council, listen to the public. Drug dealing is a big issue for the community and it is a big deal for us. The prison sentences, together with the seizing of criminal gains, is a clear message to drug dealers: Leave our borough alone, we take this crime seriously and we will get you."
Cllr Greg Smith, Hammersmith and Fulham Council's cabinet member for residents' services, said: "Residents should be delighted that Lawrence and Lucas have received such substantial custodial sentences. There is a very strong link between benefit fraud and other forms of crime and this council has an excellent track record of working closely with the police to catch drug dealers and those people who think that they can help themselves to taxpayers' money. Neither drug dealing nor benefit fraud will be tolerated in Hammersmith and Fulham and the message to anyone who is considering acting in such an unscrupulous fashion is that you will be caught and you will pay the penalty."
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