By WILL PICKWORTH, SPORTS REPORTER
Published: 09:58 EST, 10 February 2026 | Updated: 09:58 EST, 10 February 2026
A Liverpool drug gang's promotional deal on cocaine to mark the release of former Reds star Luis Diaz's dad from a kidnapping ordeal led to their downfall, it has been claimed, after they were jailed for a combined total of more than 63 years.
Back in November 2023, Luis Manuel Diaz, father of the now-Bayern Munich star, was freed after 13 days in captivity by a Colombian guerilla group.
In honour of that, and in an attempt to boost sales, the gang sent a message to more than 9,000 customers on a 'graft phone' that read: '3 for £75 for the next hour to celebrate Luis Diaz dad getting released in the Colombian jungle…'
A 'graft phone' is a dedicated mobile phone number used by organised crime groups to facilitate the sale and distribution of illegal drugs.
The message was said to spark the gang's downfall, according to The Liverpool ECHO, and on Monday, leader Paul Lockyer, 42, and seven Merseyside-based accomplices were handed prison sentences at Liverpool Crown Court.
That followed a lengthy probe by the Merseyside Organised Crime Partnership (OCP) that involved the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Merseyside Police.
Eight members of a Liverpool drug gang have been sentenced to more than 63 years in prison (Pictured - Paul Lockyer, Stephen Lynch, Julie McCafferty, Paul McCardle, Michelle Higgins, Lee Nugent, James Neary, Christopher Horrocks)
Their downfall was sparked after they offered a promotional deal on cocaine to mark the release of ex-Liverpool star Luis Diaz's dad (above with Diaz) from a kidnapping ordeal in 2023
Lockyer, who was also known as 'the big fella', was said to be the main figure alongside his right hand man James Neary, 57.
The gang worked shifts to fulfil hundreds or orders at all hours of the day, with drugs stored at multiple addresses across Liverpool - and the dedicated graft phone was used to receive these orders.
Investigators had been closely monitoring the operation though, which included watching the phone being handed between members of the gang and also meetings to collect drugs.
Everyone within the gang held different responsibilities and on the phone more than 9,000 contacts were found, along with messages sent to clients promoting the product. These included special offers, discounts and 'delivery to your door'.
One drugs expert who appeared in court insisted he had 'never encountered a drugs line as well run', with the gang estimated to have supplied at least 9.9kg of cocaine between October 2023 and May 2025, raking in £620,000 in revenue.
Other members of the gang included Paul McArdle, 33, who coordinated deliveries and was a major operator of the graft phone.
Christopher Horrocks, 46 and Stephen Lynch, 38, were in charge of managing deals and re-stocking, with the former ensuring the phone was constantly useable.
Elsewhere, Michelle Higgins, 39, stored large amounts of cocaine at her home, while Lee Nugent, 46, was a dealer.
Diaz in action for Liverpool in November 2023 with a shirt that translates as 'Freedom for Dad'
Nugent's partner Julie McCafferty, 43, prepared drugs, directed couriers and also had responsibility for the graft phone.
The eight members of the gang were all arrested last May after officers executed warrants at several addresses, with 874g of cocaine at an estimated value of £89,000 among the items seized during the investigation.
When the warrants were executed and Lockyer and Neary were detained, officers also discovered the graft phone alongside a 1kg block of cocaine and a large quantity of adulterant.
All eight members of the gang pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs with a cumulative sentence of 63 years and eight months handed out.
This comprised 11 years and four months for Lockyer; nine years and nine months for Neary; 10 years and one month for McArdle; eight years for Lynch and Nugent; six years for McCafferty and Horrocks; and four years and six months for Higgins.
Commenting on the case, NCA Senior Manager Jon Hughes of Merseyside OCP, said: 'The group's criminal enterprise was like a fast food delivery service for drugs, with cocaine rapidly dispatched to hundreds of people every day and promotions offered that would keep people coming back for more.
'The cocaine trade causes significant harm, including fuelling horrendous violence on our streets. Every order this group fulfilled, caused more harm to people and communities in Liverpool. It's really significant that we have shut down Lockyer's illicit business and ensured its members are now behind bars.'
Merseyside PoliceLuis Diaz