A Manchester crime boss’ £1million cocaine ring has been smashed leaving him and his gang locked up for a total of more than 54 years.
Last year, officers executed 13 drugs warrants at addresses in Stockport, Cheadle, Heaton Norris, Heaton Moor and Bredbury.
More than seven kilos of cocaine with an estimated street value of £681,402 and £531,356 in cash was seized, leading to the arrests.
Detective Inspector Steve Earnshaw, of GMP’s Serious Organised Crime Group, said: “David Smith was clearly at the top of the tree, operating the others from above like a set of marionettes that he had at his beck and call to do his dirty work for him.
“Over the course of several months we pursued these men with a dogged determination to unravel their activities and establish who the main runners and riders were.
“They were dealing in large quantities of drugs and cash. The stakes that they were playing for brought them high rewards but they now realise that the consequences too are high.
“Dealing drugs in any quantity carries significant risks if caught, but when we look at the size of this operation it is only right that the sentences reflect what was a million pound enterprise.”
JAILED: Clockwise from left, Cantwell, Clayton, Dean, Whitehead and Smith
The following pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine: David Smith, 41, of Shirley Grove, Gary Cantwell, 51, of Churchill Street, Craig Ryder, 28, of Dundonald Street and Scott Whelan, 28, of Lynn Walk.
Dixie Dean, 25, of Hillgate, Chris Clayton, 28, of Belmont Street, Keiran Murray, 26, of Candleford Place, Trevor Whitehead, 52, of Douglas Road and Philip James, 34, of Close, Stockport also pleaded guilty.
Smith, who also admitted money laundering, was jailed for 11 years.
Ryder, Whelan, James and Cantwell were jailed for six-and-a-half years, Dean for six years, Murray for four-and-a-half years, Clayton for four years and Whitehead for three years at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday.
GUILTY: Clockwise from left, James, Murray, Whelan and Ryder
All nine were members of an organised crime gang responsible for the supply of class A drugs across Stockport that was headed up by David Smith, who has amassed assets in property and bank accounts worth more than £1million from his criminal enterprise.
As the key man of the operation, Smith would source high purity cocaine in kilo amounts that would then, through a network of safe houses, be adulterated, packaged and ultimately delivered to street dealers and abusers through a well organised network of mobile couriers.
The drugs would be cut with the mixing agent Benzocaine in an effort to maximise profits.
James and Dean would look after, mix, and prepare the cocaine for sale.
Cantwell and Ryder acted as couriers and transported drugs and cash around.
Once the drugs had been mixed and prepared for sale, individual ‘dealer packs’ were provided to the street dealers – Cantwell, Whelan, Ryder, Murray and Clayton – who would then collect the money which was given to Smith.
Whitehead would store some of Smith’s cash and would also press the drugs into hard blocks
DI Earnshaw said: “I must reserve special credit for the investigating officers who presented such overwhelming evidence for what was an extremely complex investigation that all nine men had no other option but to admit their guilt.”
SEIZED: Money recovered after arrests of Ryder and Whitehead
Officers are now attempting to strip Smith of any assets made from his illegal activity, and are working hard to prevent drug use in the area.
“Cocaine abuse, like other drug abuse, is a major factor in a lot other acquisitive crime such as theft, burglary and robbery.” said DI Earnshaw.
“It is also a factor in violent crime, fuels gang violence and organised crime and in real terms can and does impact on the day to day lives of local residents.
“By removing groups like Smith’s, and by using POCA legislation, we are helping prevent the supply of drugs which ultimately makes our streets a safer place to live.” he said.
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