Craig Makinson enjoyed a lavish lifestyle funded by drug money before receiving a 38-year prison sentence at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday. The 50-year-old gangster from Wigan spent his criminal profits on holidays to Dubai and Thailand, expensive cars, and a £500,000 home with a swimming pool.
Makinson was one of ten men sentenced alongside drugs boss Jamie Rothwell (38), who received a massive 43-year sentence for masterminding an international crime network. Rothwell, from Salford, pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges involving firearms, ammunition, cocaine, ketamine and grievous bodily harm with intent.
EncroChat breakthrough exposes network
The gang's downfall came through law enforcement infiltration of the EncroChat encrypted messaging system. Rothwell operated under the username "Live Long", with messages revealing the scale of his criminal empire involving hundreds of firearms trafficked into the UK.
According to the Mirror, EncroChat messages exposed Rothwell's violent mindset, including his response "Makes me hard that bro" when shown photos of an AK-47 machine gun. The encrypted communications provided unprecedented insight into the gang's operations and violent intentions.
International manhunt and arrests
Rothwell operated from a Barcelona apartment before his arrest in May 2020. The National Crime Agency tracked him down twice - first in Spain, then again in Holland when he fled a second time after his initial extradition to the UK.
Daily Mail reports show arrest footage of Rothwell performing a "bizarre jig" during his Barcelona detention, displaying an arrogant demeanor even in custody. The Daily Record describes extraordinary security measures at Thursday's sentencing, including armed police, a helicopter overhead, and multiple police vehicles escorting the prison van.
Scale of criminal operation
The court heard how Makinson was linked to drug dealing worth £2.5 million and helped finance the purchase of an AK47 machine gun. He worked directly with Rothwell in trafficking cocaine, heroin and amphetamine while using his profits to renovate properties and invest in leisure businesses.
James Close (44) received 36 years for his role in sourcing firearms and learning drug adulteration techniques. Callum Morris (33) got 38 years after agreeing to murder someone named Paul Cooper, though the attack never took place.
Associate sentences and reactions
Seven other gang members received sentences ranging from 14 months to 18 years. Zak Rourke (35) was jailed for 18 years for acting as a "conduit" between bosses and lower-level criminals, while Terence McDonagh (34) received eight years for storing the AK47.
Detective Sergeant Colin Shackleton said: "The supply of Class A drugs in this investigation were on an industrial scale, with the criminal gang making eye-watering profits. They believed they were above the law."
Wayne Johns from the National Crime Agency added: "More than 2,200 criminals have been convicted under Operation Venetic, and Jamie Rothwell is one of the most dangerous."
Sources used: "Manchester Evening News", "Mirror", "Daily Mail", "Daily Record"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
