Edward Badago has been revealed as the head of a Hull drug-dealing empire that was making tens of thousands of pounds every week. Crime Reporter Jenna Thompson examines his downfall.
HE WAS jobless and living in a caravan but boasted an income to rival that of a Premier League footballer. Edward Badago, the head of one of Hull's biggest-ever drug-dealing empires, lived a lifestyle many could only dream of.
He and his wife, Lisa, had expensive cars, designer clothes and accessories, including a £38,000 Rolex watch, and went on luxury holidays. But, after a year-long police investigation, Badago is now facing years behind bars for conspiring to supply heroin.
"He has been absolutely cash-rich, never paying into the system, not working at all," says Detective Sergeant Ian Dobson, of Humberside Police. "He is a clever, innovative criminal, hence sitting at the top. He is devious and astute, which makes it even more pleasing to bring him to justice."
Badago, 35, headed a gang believed to have been making about £100,000 a month selling the class A drug in Bransholme alone, despite having few criminal convictions. Police believe there were similar operations in north, east and west Hull. His wife Lisa, 23, was found guilty of laundering £26,000 of drug money, splashing the cash on designer clothes and holidays.
"She is the face of the successful drug dealer, his Wag," says DS Dobson. "She was not blind to the riches, she lived it, which was way beyond her means. She wasn't working, wasn't contributing, but led a champagne lifestyle."
During a two-week trial at Hull Crown Court, Badago took to the stand to claim he was a secret heroin addict. "That is a falsehood," says DS Dobson. "He has used that to engineer empathy, which is a low, low tactic."
His empire was structured and organised, with different jobs assigned to different people. Directly beneath Badago were Jolene Thompson-Carney, 31, and Adrian "Ado" Owen, 32, who made sure the regimented operation ran smoothly.
They would be responsible for ensuring the drugs would be transferred between a safe house in Swinderby Garth, Bransholme, and a distribution centre in Mullion Close. Owen would also threaten and assault street dealers who acted against gang members' wishes.
"Each person had a role in the organised structure and they had rules to abide by," says DS Dobson. "Owen was a muscle who brought fear to other street dealers.
"If they need to use violence, they will do – and we are talking serious, life-threatening violence. He was the only person who would have direct contact with Badago."
In exchange for her work, addict Thompson-Carney would receive free heroin. Despite her appearance being ravaged by years of drug use, Thompson-Carney knew exactly what she was doing, say police.
"She is quite lucid," says Detective Constable Neil Kitching. "She has carved a career out for herself, looking after money for him and supplying heroin."
Kevin Rickatson, who has admitted possessing heroin with intent to supply, was in charge of looking after the drugs at the house in Swinderby Garth. They would be collected by Owen or Thompson-Carney and taken to Mullion Close. Robert Jackson, 30, and Ian Smalley, 43, would work for Owen to distribute the drugs to lower-level dealers.
After raiding the properties, detectives meticulously examined phone records to try to find the head of the empire. "We started at the bottom and traced our way to the Mr Big, which is Badago," says DS Dobson.
Despite having caught seven members of the gang, police believe there are many more out there. "Without doubt, there were more people involved in this," says DC Kitching. "We believe there were a number of similar distribution centres in other areas of the city involving the same process."
Detectives are now appealing for people, including heroin users, to reveal who else is involved.
"The heroin trade is a despicable one," says DS Dobson. "Users of heroin should know this is what their money is funding, for people like Edward and Lisa Badago and Adrian Owen to have a nice lifestyle, purely because of greed. This drug kills people and breaks up families and we need the public's help to bring groups dealing in this misery to justice."Drug gang's assets set to be seized
Badago will now face having all his assets seized and the prospect of repaying thousands of pounds. Humberside Police's team of financial investigators have begun combing through his assets ahead of applying to the court to seize them.
Detective Sergeant Ian Dobson said: "What he was doing creates an unfair society. He didn't contribute. He causes misery to families and communities in Hull then gets all the richness from being a law-breaker.
"People see him living an unfair lifestyle. Our mission was to bring them to justice and now is to bring his assets back to the authorities."
Adrian Owen and Lisa Badago could also face similar investigations. DS Dobson said: "They have been living beyond their means. Now, we are continuing to investigate Badago's assets and I would ask for any information about this person or any organised crime groups to come forward."
Anyone with information should call Humberside Police on 101.
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