Eight men have been jailed for supplying drugs in the Manchester area during a large scale operation to combat organised crime gangs.
The members of the gang were convicted at Manchester Crown Court yesterday with sentences ranging from three to seven years behind bars.
Large amounts of cocaine and cannabis with a street value of just under £100,000 were seized along with around £40,000 in cash and designer watches totalling up to £170,000.
Activities of the men had been monitored over a period of five months and the operation by police culminated in a series of warrants across the Manchester area.
Detective Inspector Robert Cousen from the Serious Organised Crime Group at Greater Manchester Police said: “Our aim, together with partners and with help from the community, is to continually disrupt, dismantle and destroy gangs that bring misery to the streets of Manchester and we will do that by any means possible.
“Drugs dealers are at the hub of these criminal gangs and selling drugs is a huge source of funds for them. The fact these eight men are now behind bars is a fantastic result but we will not stop there.
“Partner agencies across Greater Manchester will continue to target these networks and break them down member by member.”
John Mallon, 33, of Barmouth Walk, Oldham, Stephen Ellis, 35, of Duchess Green, Hyde, Anthony Quinn, 32, of Kenley Walk, Collyhurst, Aaron Farr, 25, of Vine Street, Openshaw and Andrew Holme, 33, of Cornwall Road, Droylsden all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine).
They were sentenced to six years, eight months; seven years, four months; two sentences of four years and three years, four months in prison respectively.
Lee Clarke, 29, of Welbeck Street South, Ashton-Under-Lyne also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession as well as intent to supply Class B drugs and was sentenced to six and a half years in prison.
Michael Connor, 25, of Limebrook Close, Openshaw pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine) and was sentenced at a hearing on February 3 2014 to seven years, two months in prison.
