## ‘Mr Italy’: The Rise and Fall of a Gun-Running Empire
A man once dubbed ‘Mr Italy’ due to his overseas property interests is now facing the loss of his luxury lifestyle, including high-end watches and an Italian villa, as authorities close in following a sweeping criminal investigation. Andrew Cooney, an integral figure in one of the UK’s largest firearms and drug supply conspiracies ever disrupted, will now forfeit assets after a court found he had benefited from crime to the tune of more than £2 million.
Cooney was part of a sophisticated organised gang that operated out of a modern flat in Cotton Field Wharf, Ancoats Marina, Manchester. The group’s headquarters served as a base for storing firearms, ammunition, substantial quantities of drugs, and large amounts of cash. According to investigators, what began as a neighbourhood location for residents became a hub for criminality on an “exceptional scale”, in the words of a presiding judge.
The criminal syndicate became notorious for orchestrating the distribution of approximately £70 million worth of cocaine, alongside the sale of 48 Skorpion machine pistols across the United Kingdom and Ireland. These weapons reportedly sold for between £9,000 and £15,000 each, raising concerns at the highest levels of law enforcement about the potential threat to public safety.
Nicknamed ‘Mr Italy’ due to his ownership of property in the country, Cooney’s role went far beyond mere investment. He operated as both a broker and a supplier, facilitating not only the movement of deadly weapons but also large shipments of drugs. During a police search of his home in Alderley Edge, officers recovered a kilogram of cocaine stashed in his Audi A3 and seized two Porsche vehicles. Investigators also took possession of an array of luxury watches—including a Rolex Daytona and an Audemars Piguet—along with documents tying Cooney to an Italian villa.
The fallout for Cooney and his associates has been severe. After being sentenced in 2023 to 27 years behind bars, a financial investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act revealed that Cooney personally benefited by nearly £2.4 million. Yet, his recoverable assets now stand at just over £32,000, including the remnants of his lavish collection and his stake in the Italian property. Should he fail to repay this sum within three months, he faces an additional 12 months added to his sentence.
Prosecutors emphasised that funds reclaimed under proceeds of crime law are often redirected into community projects, seeking to repair some of the damage wrought by organised criminal groups. This bolsters ongoing efforts by law enforcement to not only punish perpetrators but also reinvest in affected neighbourhoods.
During court proceedings, Cooney presented himself as having started life on modest means, working market stalls and as a cleaner in his youth before turning to the property sector. He admitted that financial strain led him down the path to drug dealing, a justification echoed by others in similar high-profile cases. Yet, juries were unswayed: at the conclusion of the trial, Cooney, aged 39, of Oakfield Close, Alderley Edge, was convicted of conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life and conspiracy to supply cocaine, though acquitted on charges related to amphetamines.
Cooney was not the only member to face lengthy prison terms. Mohammed Omar Malik, 33, of Manchester city centre, received a 38-year sentence, convicted of similar offences involving firearms and multiple drugs. Daniel Gibbons and Daniel Waters, both from Stockport, received 28 years and 26 and a half years respectively for their criminal roles. Additional members, such as Sean Hogan, Conor Sandlan, and Adrian Gonzalez, were sentenced to terms ranging from 24 to over 30 years for their involvement.
The magnitude of the conspiracy serves as a stark reminder of the scale and complexity of modern organised crime in the UK. Authorities hope that by stripping criminals of their ill-gotten gains and redirecting resources to community safety initiatives, a strong signal is sent that the proceeds of illicit empires will ultimately benefit those who suffered most from them. The saga of ‘Mr Italy’ thus becomes not only a story of downfall but a catalyst for change in the ongoing battle against violent, lucrative criminal networks.