A detective who led a team in the hunt for a factory which illegally manufactured millions of pounds-worth of drugs has won a Chief Constable's commendation.

Det Insp Neil Thewsey, of Skipton Police, spearheaded the Operation Boswell inquiry which led to the discovery on Skipton's Snaygill industrial estate of one of the biggest illegal drug manufacturers in the country. The nine-month investigation in 1995 resulted in the imprisonment for seven years of 41-year-old David Lister, of Shaw Lane, Keighley. He pleaded guilty to conspiring to offer to supply ecstasy, possessing diazepam, conspiring to defraud mobile phone companies, possessing a stun gun and nine offences of possessing or manufacturing a medicinal product without marketing authority.

His wife Karen, 42, who acted as book-keeper, pleaded guilty to three offences of possessing or manufacturing a medicinal product without authority. She was sentenced to two years' probation. Their son Steven, 22, a production manager who admitted four similar offences, was given a conditional discharge.

Det Insp Thewsey, who has served 24 years in the force, says: "It was one of the most complex and involved inquiries I have ever been involved with. It started in 1995 following a tip-off and then continued for a number of months after their arrest. It was a very difficult enquiry because of the complexity of the offences. The first time we searched their house we found £100,000 in cash and some months later when we went back we found another £30,000."

Also found were large quantities of powders and tablets, all the equipment for making tablets, body building products, a stun gun, an Uzi automatic, 38 mobile phones with scanners and computer equipment. The main offence investigated was the production and distribution of fake ecstasy tablets made from illegally obtained medical products. Diazepam powder and thousands of home made diazepam tablets were found as was a large quantity of chemical used to make LSD.

Enquiries were made nationwide and in the USA and Ireland and there was a complex financial investigation into more than 40 bank accounts the family were operating.

Chief Constable's commendations are also being awarded on Friday to DI Thewsey's team including Acting Detective Inspector Nigel Boynton, Detective Constable Andy Roberts, DC Peter Elliott, PC Stuart Barrick, PC Tim Ford and Karen Earnshaw and Natalie Musto, members of the Skipton support staff.

DC Thewsey will also receivce a long service award for more than 22 years as a police officer along with Sergeant David Cochrane of Skipton.

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