THIS is the moment two parents-to-be got engaged at a fancy restaurant – unaware their £26million drug empire was crumbling around them.
Pregnant Saskia Steward shared the loved-up snaps on social media after partner Jack Donegan popped the question.
The gushing gangster’s moll also posted a picture of her diamond ring, writing: “I can honestly say I have never been so surprised in my life. Yes, yes, a million times yes! @jackdonegann I love you. I’m over the moon.”
Just days later, Steward announced the birth of their daughter as she branded Donegan her “rock”.
But the couple were unaware police were preparing to raid their £450,000 home on a quiet suburban cul-de-sac in Warrington, Cheshire.
Donegan’s “‘money man” and couriers had been arrested in separate drugs busts that meant the net was closing in on the new parents.
Officers discovered Donegan had been bragging about making £15,000 a month from drug trafficking across the UK.
Referring to one happy customer in texts he boasted to Steward: ”Yeah love he’s sound as f**k. This is going to be great for us! I mean that x.”
Another read: ”It’s lovely to be fair. Just going through all of this with him then hopefully chilling soon hahah looking average per month 15k.”
Both Donegan and Steward were arrested after cops swooped on 12 properties across Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, and North Wales as part of investigation codenamed Operation Acropolis.
The North West Organised Crime Unit said Donegan was the boss of the gang and directed the distribution of cocaine and ketamine through a ”trusted team” of couriers and associates.
He flooded the streets of the North West with drugs as well as Derby, London, and Great Yarmouth.
Donegan has now been jailed for 15 years after he admitted conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.
Steward, 26, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment suspended for two years for participating in the activities of an organised crime group.
Preston Crown Court heard the drug trafficking operation was vast.
A drug ledger recovered from Donegan’s phone revealed the supply of more than 800 kilograms of Class A drugs and profits exceeding £26million.
But the empire began to crumble when the gang’s “money man,” was arrested with £5,000 in cash in his vehicle.
A subsequent search of his home uncovered over £300,000 in cash alongside a counting machine.
A courier was then arrested on May 30 last year at Knutsford Services with 12kg of cocaine hidden in a blue box.
Seven other men were jailed for a total of 54 years over the conspiracy.
Det Ch Inspector Kelly Wild from the NWROCU’s Operations Team said: ”This was a meticulous and far-reaching investigation that has dismantled one of the most significant organised crime groups operating in the North West and beyond.
”The scale of this conspiracy was staggering – hundreds of kilograms of Class A drugs were moved across the country, generating tens of millions of pounds in criminal profit, while causing misery in the communities where these drugs were sold.
“The sentences handed down reflect the seriousness of these crimes and send a clear message – organised crime groups who profit from the misery of others will be relentlessly pursued, dismantled, and brought before the courts.
“Our teams worked tirelessly to uncover the full extent of this network, from the couriers on the road to the money men counting cash, and the leaders orchestrating supply.”
Philip Moores, 56, of Skelmersdale was jailed for 12 years for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.
Stephen Joel-Craven, 42, of Skelmersdale was jailed for eight years and eight months for participating in the activities of an organised crime group and possession of criminal property.
Kevin Gaskell, 43, of Skelmersdale was jailed for 10 years, Keith Rowlands, 58, of Caenarfon got nine years and six months.
Robert Howarth, 45, of Haydock was jailed for eight years and Daniel Stawarcyzk. 36, from Manchester was jailed for six years.
All admitted conspiracy.
