Notorious Dublin drug gang member Peter ‘Fatso’ Mitchell jailed for 10 years after Swansea cocaine arrest

Peter ‘Fatso’ Mitchell was once part of notorious drug baron John Gilligan’s gang who fled Ireland to Spain following the murder of crime reporter Veronica Guerin in 1996.

Mitchell was one of four men arrested as part of the South Wales Police operation who have been sentenced to a total of 34 years and 10 months for conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Peter Mitchell, aged 51, from Bradford was sentenced to 10 years.

James Gallagher, aged 36, from Fforestfach, Swansea, was sentenced to 10 years.

Nathan Webber, aged 28, from Ynystawe, Swansea was sentenced to 10 years.

Terrence Mills, aged 60, from Garston in Liverpool was sentenced to four years and 10 months.

South Wales Police say that on 7 July 2020 Mitchell was stopped whilst driving from Bradford to South Wales. Located on the rear seats of the car, in a package of nappies, was 3 kilos of Cocaine, with a wholesale value of between £109,500 to £133,500.

The investigation linked Mitchell to 3 events in May 2020 where approximately 7 kilos of Cocaine were supplied to James Gallagher and in return at least £254,000 was handed to Mitchell.

When arrested Gallagher’s home address was searched and in his attic a suitcase was located which contained £100,590. Police say that Gallagher was working in partnership with Nathan Webber.

The investigation identified that Webber would source cocaine from a supplier in Liverpool and that he and Gallagher would try and get the best price from their independent suppliers and share the saving for their respective drug dealing operations.

On 8th June 2020, Terrence Mills was driving a white van in the Morriston area of Swansea. Mills was seen in an exchange with Webber in which Webber placed a black Hype rucksack into the van.

A short time later this vehicle was stopped and located inside was the black Hype rucksack which contained £152,505.

The investigation linked Webber and Mills to a further 4 events between 31st March and 11th May 2020, where approximately 6 kilos of Cocaine and at least £277,000 were exchanged.

Each time Webber was the recipient of the cocaine and Mills was acting as courier.

When arrested Webber’s home address was searched and located in various amounts was a total of £25,365.

South Wales Police Detective Inspector Russ Jenkins said: “‘Organised Crime Groups over a number of years have utilised encrypted devices to enable their offending. They have been brazen and believed the use of such devices ensured they were beyond the reach of the law.

“Our investigators have worked tirelessly, and continue to utilise all opportunities available, to investigate these offences and successfully prosecute those involved.

“The Organised Crime Groups have a significant impact upon our communities and the continued success of these operations provides reassurance and confidence to the communities of South Wales”.

(Lead image: South Wales Police)