Draft:Wavo 420

Wavo 420 is a street gang based in Wavertree, a suburb southeast of Liverpool city centre, known primarily for its involvement in drug trafficking and violent crime. The gang’s name is derived from the local area of Wavertree and "420," a term associated with the celebration of cannabis culture on 20 April each year. Over the years, Wavo 420 has gained notoriety for its activities in the illegal drug trade and its links to various violent incidents across Merseyside.

History

The exact origins of Wavo 420 remain unclear, but the gang gained prominence in the mid-2010s due to its involvement in large-scale cannabis production and distribution across Liverpool. Like many other gangs in the area, Wavo 420 is part of a broader network of street gangs and organized crime syndicates operating in Liverpool, often involved in violent turf wars over territory and control of the drug market.

Criminal Activities

Wavo 420's main criminal enterprises have centered on the production and sale of drugs, particularly cannabis, heroin, and cocaine. The gang has also been linked to multiple shootings and violent assaults. James Lunt, one of the group's prominent leaders, was arrested in 2019 and found to be in possession of a handgun that was linked to 17 shootings in Merseyside. Lunt's arrest and subsequent imprisonment for drug and weapons offenses severely impacted the gang’s operations, though they continue to maintain influence in the area.

Weapons Trafficking

As with other Liverpool-based gangs, Wavo 420 has been involved in the circulation of illegal firearms. Due to the relative scarcity of guns in the UK, weapons are often shared or traded between gangs, and they are sometimes involved in multiple shootings. This has contributed to a culture of violence among rival gangs and facilitated the group's criminal activities.

Cannabis Farms

One of Wavo 420’s most notable operations involved the establishment of cannabis farms across residential areas in Liverpool. Some properties were entirely converted into sophisticated growing operations, while others contained smaller-scale setups. These farms generated significant profits for the gang and contributed to a thriving local black market for cannabis.

Law Enforcement Crackdown

In 2019, Wavo 420 suffered a significant blow when James Lunt was sentenced to prison for his role in drug dealing and weapons offenses. Lunt’s arrest was part of a broader crackdown by Merseyside Police on organized crime, facilitated by the EncroChat investigation, which allowed authorities to access encrypted communications used by criminal networks across Europe.

Despite these efforts, the gang remains active, and police have noted that cannabis production in residential areas continues to be a widespread issue in Liverpool. The flow of weapons between gangs also poses a continual challenge to law enforcement, as the city struggles to contain ongoing gang violence.

Gang Culture and Rivalries

Like many other street gangs in Liverpool, Wavo 420 is driven by a strong territorial instinct. The gang's members, primarily young men, have been known to engage in violent altercations with rival groups to maintain control over their territory and drug trade. Gang members are often willing to put their lives on the line for control of specific areas, and the resulting violence has had a lasting impact on local communities.

Impact on the Community

The activities of Wavo 420 and other street gangs in Liverpool have had a profound effect on the communities in which they operate. Violence, drug abuse, and exploitation of vulnerable individuals—particularly the use of young people in the gang's operations—have contributed to a climate of fear and instability in parts of the city. Law enforcement efforts, while effective in some respects, have struggled to fully eliminate the influence of gangs like Wavo 420 from the streets of Liverpool.