SULEYMAN ERGUN: Everyone else – Haase, Bennett, Kaya, Croker – pleaded guilty, so they never went to trial. I pleaded not guilty because I’m not a grass and the grasses that were Haase and Bennett weren’t gonna trick me into pleading guilty. I kept my mouth shut – didn’t make no statements, nothing. My trial lasted ten days. The verdict was guilty on both charges. I got 14 years for conspiracy to supply and 14 years for conspiracy to import, to run concurrent – that means at the same time. So I would have to serve 14 years in nick. Then I got nine months for not complying with an asset-confiscation order.
Haase and Bennett had their mitigation separate, behind closed doors, both of them. Secretive – that meant they were doing a deal. That set the alarm bells ringing but I didn’t say anything. Keep your enemies close. It wasn’t concrete but there was enough suspicion.
After the guilty pleas had been entered and Suleyman’s trial finished with a conviction, Judge David Lynch retired for reports and mitigation before sentencing. This was the crucial moment at which all of the credit that Haase and Bennett had built up with the gun plants would come into play. Customs officers decided to write a secret report to the judge detailing all of the ‘help’ given to them by Haase and Bennett in the hope that he would show leniency in his sentencing. The secret report was written by Haase’s handler Paul Cook, signed off by his boss Assistant Chief Investigator Phil Connelly, and presented to the judge in private chambers.
The bombshell report was leaked well after the trial, after Scottish hard-man Ian McAteer was convicted of shooting a man. He accused Paul Bennett of grassing him up and applied for all secret-informant reports related to him to be released.
The report reveals just how much the authorities had fallen for Haase and Bennett’s con, listing all of the phoney arms seizures, including the Strangeways gun, as a success and praising the gangsters. Where the word GAP appears in the following extracts, sensitive information and names have been scrubbed out by the prison authorities prior to release:
With regard to these defendants in September 1993 they indicated, through their solicitor Mr Tony Nelson, that they wished to cooperate with the prosecution.
This cooperation was to be in the form of a guilty plea, to conspiracy to supply heroin and the giving of information relating to the criminal fraternity.
In relation to the guilty plea the prosecution case against these defendants was, and still is, that they were one of the initial recipients of heroin once it was imported into the UK. The prosecution would suggest that the evidence in this case would have resulted in a conviction but accept it is evidence of association which could justify a lengthy and expensive trial. The defendants pleaded guilty to the offence on 10 February 1995 at Liverpool Crown Court. It must be said that a guilty plea would have been offered at a much earlier stage; due to the quantity and quality of the information supplied by these defendants a plea was delayed in order for such information to continue unabated. As from October 1993, the defendants commenced the flow of information to the prosecution. The information given in my opinion falls into several categories.
A. Information which produced an instant positive result and led to the authorities making an arrest, recovering stolen property, seizing drugs or firearms and ammunition. The latter being the most significant from their information. Over 150 illegal firearms were recovered and included Kalashnikov assault weapons, Armalite rifles, Thompson machine guns, Bren guns, Uzi sub-machine guns and over 1,500 rounds of ammunition. GAP An awesome array of lethal weapons, illustrating the demand for firearms amongst the criminal element of society. A major contribution in light of the recent shootings in Liverpool. They also gave information which resulted in the recovery of two handguns (one loaded), a meat cleaver and a claw hammer from a motor vehicle parked GAP the information warned of the developing war between the owners of that establishment and GAP.
This was a mistake. The establishment was a bar called Cheers. The rights to buy and use it were used as pretext for a battle between the Ungi family and Curtis Warren’s right-hand man Johnny Phillips, which resulted in the death of businessman David Ungi. Haase’s men had planted guns near the pub purely by accident – but Customs gave him the credit for cooling the war.
Other significant results were the seizure of:
1. 7,534 Ecstasy (MDMA) tabs and 5 kilograms of amphetamine;
2. 58 litres of methadone. The recovery of 100 LSD tabs. The locating of a skunk factory (where cannabis resin is made into concentrated cannabis oil). 200 cannabis plants and a machine gun GAP A seizure of heroin and a seizure of cocaine, the recovery of £20,000 worth of antiques and an OBE medal.
This batch included the heroin which Darcy helped to plant.
B. Information which prevented serious offences from being committed. The prevention of a possible hostage situation. A prisoner convicted of two murders was planning to escape by use of a gun. A loaded handgun was recovered and the prison officer responsible for smuggling the weapon into the prison was identified.
This outrageous passage referred to the Strangeways gun plant, unfairly referring to Thomas Bourke, who was never convicted of getting the Czech-made pistol onto the wings. However, this passage, littered with false assumptions, was the key information that would eventually win Haase and Bennett a Royal Pardon. The salient features of ‘prevention of a possible hostage situation’ and ‘planning to escape by use of a gun’ were all that was needed.
C. Information which led to major operations being instigated. Operation ‘FLEET’ was commenced by Customs and Excise based upon their detailed information. It involves the major import of Class A drugs and the method of transportation being used to avoid discovery. A large-scale operation has been mounted by the South East Regional Crime Squad to investigate the supply of forged Bank of England notes and illegal firearms, based on their information.
D. Information which has assisted major operations already in existence. They assisted Manchester Customs and Excise in identifying four members of an organisation responsible for the importation of 150 kilograms of cannabis previously seized for which one person stood charged.
They assisted in identifying individuals and supplying contact telephone numbers in relation to a major operation currently under investigation by Manchester investigation division. They assisted NCIS South East in connection with a major arms dealer.
E. GAP during the search of premises at GAP at which a skunk factory and a machine gun were located GAP.
They supplied information relating to a major drugs target having a contact within the CPS Liverpool. They identified a GAP solicitor who is criminally linked to numerous drug dealers.
This solicitor was Kevin Dooley. Dooley later claimed that Haase and Bennett deliberately smeared his name after he refused to ‘front’ their gun-planting charade. As a result of this information, Merseyside Police planted a bug in the ceiling of Dooley’s Kirkby office. He was later struck off by the Law Society.
They identified a serving police officer who was assisting the criminal fraternity.
They have supplied an extensive list of drug importers and dealers GAP they supplied the name of an individual who obtains arms from GAP.
F. The statement made by Mr Croker and the evidence he gave at the trial of the co-defendant Ergun was given after extensive encouragement by these defendants.
This proved what the Turks suspected – Haase was getting credit for getting his co-defendants to cooperate.
1. Firearm Seizures
The number of firearms and ammunition seized is indeed of frightening proportions. The questions as to why no substantial arrests were made in connection with these matters can be answered by the fact that while names responsible were given by the defendants the need to take the weapons off the street was seen as the main priority. Situations did not arise where extensive observations could be undertaken involving the necessary participation of armed response personnel and vehicles which, even under controlled conditions, are difficult
to use in a covert manner.
The above paragraph put a brave face on the fact that there were few arrests and no convictions as a result of gun finds, stating that it was not possible to wait for criminals to return to the cars and safehouses where the guns were stashed and arrest them. The security and operational reasons may be true, but the fact remains that there were no arrests because most of the plants were staged – and no one was ever going to return to the plants.
These defendants at personal risk offered to introduce an undercover officer to a contact within the arms-supply organisation. After consultations it was decided that such an operation could run into legal difficulties on the ground of entrapment and was declined. The defendants as detailed warned GAP.
They then gave immediate information regarding the names of those involved in the murder which have proved to be accurate, information regarding GAP which allowed the police to anticipate events and seize a cache of weapons, which would otherwise have been available for use.
With hindsight and manpower, had a concentrated operation commenced on the names they were giving as supplying weapons GAP then the current GAP situation GAP may have been controlled to a greater extent. The priority has now changed but is fighting against the tide. These defendants have pledged to continue the flow of information after sentence, and I would expect their information to be of great value to the police in these difficult times.
These words of a promise of future information would come back to haunt Customs officers, as the information supplied by Haase in the future did not seem to amount to much. But even worse, Haase reverted to serious crime, seriously compromising his value as an informant.
2. With reference to the recovery of stolen property at Hull which included an OBE medal, the defendants put themselves at the risk of reprisals by imparting this information from those who committed the offence. All the proceeds of the robbery were retrieved and given back to the rightful owner. The identity of the robber was supplied but independent evidence could not be obtained to justify any charges.
3. With reference to the information of GAP the defendants took great risks in this matter, in that the person involved was a fellow prisoner who had given the information. This particular individual was a dangerous criminal and the case related to serious wounding and attempted murder. An audience was arranged with the trial judge who, after listening to evidence under oath, stopped the trial. As a result GAP re-trial ordered to be heard GAP.
The above paragraph possibly refers to the trial of Kenny, the Strangeways inmate who smuggled in the sandwich toaster in which the gun was found.
4. In GAP the defendants again at great personal risk supplied information that there was a loaded firearm concealed within Strangeways for the use of a fellow prisoner standing trial for a double murder. They explained how a prison officer had brought the weapon into the prison and gave details of his outside contact and a mobile telephone number for this contact. The loaded gun was found and the prison officer identified. The case was widely reported to the press on the grounds of the information being imparted by a fellow prisoner. Suspicion fell on these defendants who, notwithstanding, completed a questionnaire relating to the events for Greater Manchester Police, who were the investigating body.
This second reference to the Strangeways gun plant proved many details connected with the mystery, particularly that they deliberately linked the gun to Bourke. It was no accident, as they tried to make out later.
Arrests made and details of goods seized
February 1994 – 2 arrests at GAP both charged with drug offences. 199 skunk cannabis plants.
January 1995 – 1 male arrested GAP charged with firearm offences, 3 handguns seized.
This January 1995 entry refers to Haase’s failed attempt to bribe Billy the Hamster to get himself convicted with three guns. Significantly, he was never convicted.
Drugs Seized
April 1994 – GAP 1 kilogram of heroin seized.
April 1994 – GAP 4 oz of cocaine seized.
March 1995 – GAP 5 kilograms of amphetamine, 7,534 Ecstasy tablets seized.
March 1995 – GAP 58 litres of methadone seized.
Weapons Seized
10.93: 3 GAP machine guns, 2 moderator silencers, 1 GAP machine gun, 1 stun gun, 1 GAP revolver, 160 .9 mm ammunition
02.94: 80 shotguns
03.94: 4 GAP, 3 GAP sub-machine guns, several rounds of ammunition
03.94: 4 automatic weapons and ammunition
05.94: 6 GAP sub-machine guns, 3 GAP machine guns, 1 GAP sub-machine gun, 5 silencers, ammunition
08.94: 1 GAP semi-automatic handgun, ammunition
09.94: 3 GAP sub-machine guns, 1 GAP sub-machine gun, 1 sub-machine gun, 175 rounds of ammunition
10.94: 1 sawn-off shotgun, 1 semi-automatic, ammunition
11.94: 2 rifles, 2 revolvers, 4 shotguns, 700 rounds ammunition
12.94: 5 GAP sub-machine guns, 900 rounds ammunition
01.95: 3 handguns
01.95: 7 GAP automatic pistols, 1 GAP sub-machine gun, ammunition
03.95: 2 handguns
03.95: 1 handgun, body armour, 30 rounds ammunition
04.95: 2 handguns
05.95: 2 handguns, ammunition
05.95: 4 GAP sub-machine guns, silencers, ammunition
06.95: 1 loaded GAP machine gun, 18 rounds ammunition
06.95: 1 GAP sub-machine gun, 2 semi-automatic pistols, ammunition
Significantly, there was no mention of the seized explosives or the heavy machine-gun allegedly supplied with the help of Paul Ferris, presumably for reasons of national security, since they were falsely linked by Haase and Bennett to the IRA.
Other Recoveries
05.95: £20,000 worth of forged postal orders
The number of arrests made do not do justice to the quantity of information given by these defendants.
Again, the report plays down the low body count, praises the quantity but does not question the quality – because much of the intelligence was fictitious.
Over a period of 20 months they have continued to supply information relating to serious offences concerning firearms and or drugs. This information has not related to minor players but by its very nature has concerned GAP.
The report implies that Haase and Bennett targeted major players concerned with serious offences. The report fails to mention that the crimes were phantom crimes committed by phantom criminals.
This is the avenue [down which] this Department has sought information from the defendants. I have no doubt that had information been looked for on minor offences/offenders that a lengthy list of arrests would be before the Court.
It is a rare occurrence when the authorities have such a vein of information on quality criminals, more so when that information can, by other means, be shown to be genuine and 100 per cent accurate, as in this case.
Major investigations have been instigated as a result of information given which by their very nature have not reached a conclusion.
Resource difficulties have restricted the use of information given by these defendants but should not detract from its ultimate importance. A plethora of intelligence has been gained and introduced into the authorities system, the value of which should not be underestimated, nor true worth shown at this precise time, in terms of results.
Conclusion
No rewards have been paid to either defendant in respect of any information given, seizures made and property recovered.
They have, without doubt, put themselves and their families at high risk of reprisals by their course of action, both on the quality of criminals and the type of information they have imparted. By the fact that they were incarcerated throughout this period, they have had to seek information themselves from individuals outside, so spreading the risk of discovery.
The report fails to mention that many of the ‘individuals outside’ colluded in the gun hoax and were not a threat to Haase and Bennett. The main ‘risk of discovery’ was from being ca
ught in conning the authorities.
Although they eventually chose not to give evidence against a co-accused who recently stood trial, the threats made against one who gave a draft statement in the case were such as to deter even the strongest will when made against family members and have to be weighed against those risks already taken by defendants.
It is my considered opinion that such is the impact of this case on the defendants that, for differing reasons, it is highly unlikely that they would revert to a life of crime upon their ultimate release.
These words would also come back to haunt Customs and Excise.
I consider that their continuing value to the police with regard to the recent increase in the use of firearms GAP has a great deal to offer as does the intelligence they can impart relating to serious drug importations.
They cooperated fully in regard to their DTOA [confiscation orders under the Drug Trafficking Offences Act], another indication of their willingness to assist and intent not to revert to a life of crime.
Signed: Paul Cook
9 August 1995
Cook first sent the report to his boss Phil Connelly. But there was a problem. Connelly was faced with a shocking dilemma. Astonishingly, he had rumbled Haase and Bennett’s con. Bingo! For the first time throughout the whole con, a senior investigator had seen common sense. The cool-headed Northerner had figured it all out. He had realised that there was something very fishy about their gun plants. Though he had no direct proof, he strongly suspected that Haase and Bennett were behind them. In his own words, ‘they were too good to be true’. In fact, his suspicions had been aroused way back, about one year before the trial, just six months after Haase and Bennett had started informing. His suspicions deepened because of the low number of arrests. He said, ‘I was told that was because they [the police] were too impatient to make the job [get the guns seized]. Might have been two [arrests] but nobody was ever going to pick a fight [with the police about it].’
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