Rugby star who became gang boss dubbed ‘Mr Legs’ using military-grade encrypted phones to run £1.8m cocaine ring after injury ended his sporting carer is jailed for 10 years
- Rob Foxen, 30, began a new life as a drugs Mr Big after injury ended rugby career
- Foxen, of Eccles, used military-grade encrypted phones to run a team of dealers
- He was brought down when a police raid captured £1.8m worth of class A drugs
- The father of two, who played for Swinton Lions, admitted conspiracy to supply
- Twelve others were jailed for total of 67 years for their role in the trafficking gang
A former rugby star dubbed ‘Mr Legs’ who began a new life as a drug dealing kingpin in charge of a £1.8 million cocaine ring after injury ended his sporting career has been jailed for ten years.
Rob Foxen, 30, used military-grade encrypted phones to run a team of dealers which distributed high purity cocaine across the North West of England.
Police smashed the gang’s activities after a series of raids in which drugs worth £1.3m was seized.
Rob Foxen, 30, a former rugby league star who began a new life as a drugs Mr Big after injury ended his sporting career has been jailed for ten years. He used military-grade encrypted phones to run a team of dealers which distributed up to £1.8m worth of high purity cocaine
Officers also found £123,000 in cash hidden in a suitcase under a bed alongside a detailed tick list with how much cash had been counted for each deal.
In his sporting heyday, Foxen, of Eccles, Greater Manchester had played as a winger for Championship club Swinton Lions and also Oldham Roughyeds who play in Betfred League One before retiring from the game due to injury.
He also studied a masters degree in real estate and property management at university and ran a nightclub with one of his teammates.
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At Manchester Crown Court, Foxen, a father of two admitted conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
Twelve other men were jailed for a total of 67 years for their role in the trafficking gang.
Sentencing Judge Hilary Manley told him: ‘You were the lead of organisation for this group, and organised the supply of cocaine.
Foxen was known as ‘Mr Legs’ across the North West of England. Police smashed the gang’s activities after a series of raids in which drugs worth £1.3m was seized. There were further raids on homes and other vehicles with officers seizing packages of drugs with the name ‘Mr Legs’ written on them
‘You had a significant place in the chain but I accept that there were people higher and lower than you in the chain – although you played a significant role.
‘The qualities and quantities of drugs was significantly high. But you have reflected on the part you had and the criminal activity it involved. I have read your letter to me and how open and frank you have been.
‘You were on course for a successful career until injury put a stop to it. You have then chosen to make this foolish and life changing decision and gave no thought to the harm it caused for users, addicts and the community.
‘I accept that you are genuinely remorseful. You have two young children and are fortunate in the support you have from your family.’
Officers also found £123,000 in cash hidden in a suitcase under a bed alongside a detailed tick list with how much cash had been counted for each deal
But she added: ‘This was an organised and sophisticated organisation to supply cocaine in large quantities. Careful steps were taken by you to avoid detection.
‘These included encrypted mobile phones and often changing of numbers.
‘You were shifting very large amounts of drugs and you all had a financial reason to get involved.’
The court heard Foxen co-ordinated a team of ‘trusted’ dealers and suppliers using encrypted phones to evade detection.
The racket began to crumble in September 2016 after police stopped a car driven by one of the gang and found 7kg of cocaine hidden in the boot
Adam Lodge prosecuting said: ‘He had overall responsibility for the receipt and onward distribution of the large amounts of cocaine seen throughout the period of the conspiracy.
‘His direct involvement in the supply of drugs was particularly evident during September 2016 when he is active on a telephone described as his “dirty” phone.
‘Throughout this month he was in regular telephone contact with others who the Crown say a responsible for the distribution of significant amounts of cocaine in the Burnley and Nelson areas.
‘During this month several “trips” are organized to Burnley and Nelson and on the days of these trips Foxen is in significant telephone contact.
At Manchester Crown Court, Foxen, father of two admitted conspiracy to supply Class A drugs
‘He was also using encrypted telephones and payphones in order to communicate with his co-conspirators and provide instructions to his trusted assistants.’
The racket began to crumble in September 2016 after police stopped a car driven by one of the gang and found 7kg of cocaine hidden in the boot.
There were further raids on homes and other vehicles with officers seizing packages of drugs with the name ‘Mr Legs’ written on them.
Officers found 5kg of cocaine in a safe hidden in a cupboard at the gang’s HQ in Eccles. Foxen was arrested at home in Setember 2017 and made no comment in police interview.
Officers found 5kg of cocaine in a safe hidden in a cupboard at the gang’s HQ in Eccles. Foxen was arrested at home in Setember 2017 and made no comment in police interview
The court heard he had previous convictions for public disorder, affray, assault and drink driving.
Supt Howard Millington of Greater Manchester Police said after the case: ‘This group clearly ran a sophisticated operation, but their illicit drugs enterprise was brought to a halt by officers from the Serious and Organised Crime Group, working together with our partners and local officers.
‘These individuals thought they could outsmart the criminal justice system by use of an elaborate supply network enabled by encrypted communication, in order to swamp Greater Manchester with illegal and dangerous drugs.
‘However, their control is now over. They will now spend a collective seventy-plus years behind bars to contemplate their actions.
‘We hope this provides reassurance to our communities that GMP continues to tackle those criminals who are not in plain view but clearly causing serious distress to others.’
Twelve jailed for a total of 67 years
Patrick O’Leary (left), 50, of Swinton was jailed for seven years and four months. Anthony Hamnet (right), 33, of Prestwich was jailed for seven years
Alan McNally (left), 31, of Swinton was jailed for six years and eight months. Dean Ashworth (right), 31, of Burnley, was jailed for six years
Adam Ward (left), 30, of Eccles, and Liam Carroll (right), 20, of Burnley were jailed for six years
Michael Grattan (left), 31, of Barrowford was jailed for six years. Andrew Booth (right), 34, of Prestwich was jailed for six years and four months
Dean McKenna (left), 51, Jordan Roberts (right), 26, of Eccles were each jailed for four years
Jason Booth aka Wilson (left), 48, of Eccles were each jailed for four years. Andrew Grantham (right), 40, of Eccles was jailed for four years and 10 months
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