Liverpool Drug Gang Jailed for 63 Years After Celebrating Luis Diaz's Father's Release with Promotions

A British court has sentenced drug gang leader Paul Lockyer and his associates in Liverpool. The gang had offered special promotions to celebrate the release of Luis Diaz's father, who was kidnapped in Colombia in November 2023 for 13 days before being freed.

The eight-member gang received a combined total of 63 years and eight months in prison. Lockyer was sentenced to 11 years and four months, while his assistant, James Neri, received nine years and nine months. The remaining members were handed sentences ranging from four to six years, after all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Lockyer and his associates led an organized network distributing cocaine in Liverpool, offering two types of drugs. Operations were conducted via a dedicated phone line for receiving orders, with gang members working in shifts to process and deliver hundreds of requests daily. Drugs were stored at various locations across the city.

During the investigation, police confiscated significant quantities of cocaine, cash, and drug preparation equipment, along with over 9,000 contacts and messages promoting home delivery. It is estimated that the gang distributed approximately 9.9 kilograms of cocaine between October 2023 and May 2025, generating revenues exceeding £620,000.

Officials from the National Crime Agency described the gang's operating method as a "fast-food style drug delivery service." They emphasized that every order caused harm to individuals and the community, fueling violence on the streets of Liverpool. They affirmed that the arrest of Lockyer and his associates ensures the end of their criminal activity and their placement behind bars.