Criminals used bouncy castles, citronella candles and Royal Mail in elaborate schemes

Drug dealers operating in the upper echelons of the criminal fraternity often go to extreme lengths in order to conceal their illicit activities and escape the clutches of the law. Here, the ECHO has taken a look at some of the most audacious measures that organised crimes groups have taken in order to attempt to avoid justice, as heard by the courts during 2025.

They included a bouncy castle hire business which was used as a front for money laundering, illegal packages from the dark web being sent out via the Royal Mail and a prison office who smuggled alcohol, tobacco and mobile phones inside her bra. Meanwhile, Liverpool Crown Court heard that £1m of cannabis was stashed inside a shipment of citronella candles which was imported into the UK from Malaga, with Instagram accounts such as “Harry Pothead” and “Liverpool Loud Packs” were used to advertise cocaine, cannabis and magic mushrooms for sale to users.