Seven men involved in a major drug supply network that reached across Lancashire and into Greater Manchester have been jailed for more than 40 years.
As part of a specialist organised crime investigation that targeted the group police recovered more than nine kilos of heroin, half a kilo of cocaine, over 13,000 ecstasy tablets, over 125 kilos of cutting agents and almost £225,000 in cash.
The investigation revealed that the gang, which was based in Blackburn, was headed by Mustaq Bagas, and had far reaching connections in the Greater Manchester and West Yorkshie areas.
The gang was responsible for the buying, selling and movement of significant amounts of cocaine and heroin throughout the North West region.
Detective Inspector Mark Winstanley said: “These are significant sentences that the judge has handed down today which reflect the very serious nature of the offences and the level that this group was operating at.
“This has been a long and complex investigation which has involved a number of enquiries spanning across different police forces.
“These people were working together to supply drugs to communities, not only in Lancashire, but across the northwest.”
Bagas was given a sentence of ten years and eight months for his crimes while Manchester men Hussain Ahmed, 33, and Mohebour Rahman, 31, were given three years four months and five years four months respectively.
“This type of crime blights our communities and destroys lives. These people benefitted from the misery that drugs bring to other people’s lives and I am pleased that they will not be spending time behind bars.”
Picture courtesy of WikiCommons, with thanks.
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