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Off-the-streets — value priceless
Date published: 01 November 2010
MEMBERS of an Oldham gang responsible for a multi-million-pound drug smuggling operation have been jailed for a total of 46 years.
More than £2.5 million worth of Class A drugs including heroin and cocaine and £39,000 in cash were seized during a massive police operation.
The investigation — code-named Operation Walrus — was launched in June, 2008, after a landlord found drugs at a house in Netherhey Street, Abbeyhills. It was being rented by Anthony Fagan (38).
Officers then discovered a house in Chamber Road, Werneth, which was being used as a drugs factory.
The fingerprints of Fagan and Mohammed Abbas (25) of Bobbin Walk, Glodwick, were found inside and an investigation was launched by detectives from GMP’s Drugs Unit.
It soon became apparent that Mohammed Farid (37), of Wellington Road, Coppice, was at the head of the group. He masqueraded as a local businessman, with a café, car hire business and kitchen company to his name.
Investigations led to large cannabis farms being discovered at properties in Failsworth and Hathershaw. In April, 2009, Abbas and Abdul Rashid (33), of Rochdale Road, Coldhurst, were seen going into a flat in Stockfield Mount, Chadderton, with two large bags.
It was there they met three other men and cut a large amount of heroin with another substance.
Abbas and Rashid then left with the two bags. Their car was stopped by police in Garforth Street, Chadderton. Officers found 15 kilos of heroin with an estimated street value of £1.5 million.
A search was carried out at the flat and the other men were arrested.
More drugs and items used to mix the heroin were found.
A further warrant was executed at a house in Briarmere Walk, Chadderton, the home of Esak Ali (32).
Around 10 kilos of heroin with an estimated street value of £1 million were found in a locked cabinet.
In May, 2009, Rashid and Mohammed Zubair (31), of Edward Street, Werneth, went to Farid’s home and collected a package.
Rashid then drove to Napier Street, Clarksfield, where he met Scott Massaro, from Bristol.
He placed one bag into Massaro’s car and removed another.
Massaro drove off and was stopped at Knutsford Services in Cheshire. Cocaine worth £25,000 and £200,000 in heroin were seized.
Officers executed a warrant at Farid’s house. The bag taken from Massaro’s car was found with £24,500 cash inside.
Detective Sergeant Martin Hopkinson, from GMP’s Drugs Unit, said: “The sheer volume of drugs recovered reflect how big Farid’s criminal enterprise was.
“I am delighted we have been able to smash it.
“I would like to commend all the officers who worked tirelessly on this investigation for months to secure such compelling evidence that all the defendants have admitted their involvement.”
Comments
Lets face it, the worlds biggest producer of heroin is Afghanistan, and the profits are being used to fund the Talibans war against our troops. It's highly likely there are more links to extremism as well as drugs as the two go hand in hand.
The more that dealers like this are caught and locked up the better, unfortunately there is a queue of others willing to take their place regardless of the risk of imprisonment.
my mate that is in the picture, funny how you go to school with them, ive graduated, and looking to graduate again in my honours degree, and he has done time in prison, there is no life in crime, it pays for a short while but then bang, all gone within seconds, thank allah i aint gone down the same path as these people.
Until people stop taking drugs and smoking weeds, these efforts are utterly pointless. Where there is a demand there will be someone to provide the supply because of the huge profits. No drug takers = no drug dealers.
46 years for 8 offenders works out at less than 6 years each.With good behaviour they will be out in less than 3 years and will then carry on driving around in top of the range cars without any proof of how the money has been earned to pay for them. There will also be other gangs to take over (if thy haven't already).
I for one applaud the police and GMP's Drug Unit for their sterling work, vigilance and patience. well done!
46 years sounds a lot - yet, there are NINE people mentioned in the above story, which averages out at only about 5 years each in prison.
OldhamWatcher "No drug takers = no drug dealers."
Yeah, it's obviously as simple as that. Perhaps we could solve the Arab-Israeli conflict by just telling them to stop it as well?
Have Your Say
Lets hope a few years behind bars wipes that smirk off his face
By Saddleworth1 @ 01/11/2010 15:54:32