Headquarters of £288million drug empire headed by OAP lottery winner unearthed
John Eric Spiby won £2.4million in the lottery, but used his winnings to build a massive drugs empire that dwarfed his takings, all whilst running the operation from a small house
Behind the classy country house, John Spiby Senior headed a multi-million pound empire(Image: William Lailey / SWNS)
The secret location where a drug baron masterminded his £288million empire has been uncovered. Whilst many would take up shelter in a rundown safe house in the city, this drug lord opted for a quiet and quaint country farmhouse.
John Eric Spiby built a multi-million pound drugs empire, all whilst based in the small two-story cottage just outside Wigan in Greater Manchester. It came after he wo big on the National Lottery, pocketing £2.4million.
Since then, the huge narcotics operation has been shut down, and four people responsible for keeping the operation going have been sent to jail. The presiding judge in the case went on brand the sheer scale of the business as “horrifying”.
John Eric Spelby Senior, 80, was convicted of several drug-related offences, all being masterminded from the small house in the village of Astley, not far from Tyldesley and Wigan. The house, estimated to be around £600,000, is hidden away, tucked inside a quiet country lane.
Images of the house captured by drones show the house boasting a small back garden and a long driveway with stables seen nearby. This came under Spiby Senior’s ownership after he scored a winning ticket, pocketing £2.4million from the National Lottery.
But instead of deciding to live off his winnings, Spiby opted to invest the money into a huge drugs operation that, when busted, was worth an eyewatering £288million. The operation saw drugs such as Etizolam, used as a muscle relaxant and anxiety medication, disguised as anti-depressants such as diazepam.
From 2020 to 2022, the pills flooded the streets of Britain, mostly being sold for 65p a go. However, the way the drugs were being sold were reminiscent of a “highly risky form of Russian Roulette” according to experts.
Spiby had initially denied all involvement with the incident, but following a lengthy trial at Bolton Crown Court, the pensioner was convicted by a jury of conspiracy to produce Class C drugs and conspiracy to supply Class C drugs. He was later found guilty of two other counts of possession of firearms, possession of ammunition and perverting the course of justice.
On Tuesday (January 27), the 80-year-old was sentenced to a total of 16 and a half years in prison. Three other men involved in the operation, including Spiby’s own son John Spiby Junior, were also found guilty.
Throughout the course of the investigation, it was revealed that the group had produced thousands of fake tablets, with a maximum street value of £288million. Prosecutors argued the foursome had hidden their secret organisation behind a company called Nutra Inc, claiming to be a legitimate business.
Sentencing the other men, presiding Judge Nicholas Clarke KC told Spiby Senior: “Despite your lottery win you continued to live a life of crime beyond what would normally have been your retirement years.” During the trial, the judge consistently referred to the scale of the empire as “truly horrifying”.
Judge Clarke jailed accomplices Lee Drury for nine years and nine months and Spiby Junior for nine years. Callum Dorrian, another helper, had already been dealt with at a previous hearing and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters.
