£800,000 drugs gang jailed for 41 years

Date published: 19 January 2015


SIX members of a drugs gang responsible for importing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of heroin and crack cocaine have been jailed for a total of 41 years.

The six men — five from Oldham, one from Burnley — were part of a conspiracy to receive parcels of drugs from Pakistan to safe-house addresses in Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

Many of the consignments were hidden inside innocent-looking goods including clothing and purses, and even in the lining of laminated restaurant menus.

Once in the hands of gang members, the drugs would be packaged and distributed to dealers.

Police involved in he lengthy investigation believe the total value of Class A drugs could have topped £800,000.

Former greengrocer Abu Bakar (27), the gang’s leader, was the one with contact with Pakistan.

Manchester Crown Court was told he took over the operation “lock, stock and barrel” from his older brother, who was on remanded in prison.

Bakar, of Cotton Mill Crescent, Chadderton, was jailed for 11 years and eight months after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to import heroin.

Mohammed Hakim (19) of Links Way, Chadderton, was jailed for nine years after pleading to charges of conspiracy to import and supply heroin and conspiracy to supply crack cocaine. Hakim played a leading role in the operation.

Kamran Khan (19), of Laxey Close, Chadderton, was jailed for six and a half years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to import heroin, conspiracy to supply crack cocaine, and possession of crack cocaine with intent to supply.

Sabbiur Rahman (18) of Hythe Walk, Chadderton, and Shahidul Hoque (18) of Gawforth Street, Chadderton were both given three years detention.

Rahman, of Hythe Walk, Oldham, pleaded to conspiracy to import heroin, conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

Hoque, of Garforth Street, Chadderton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply heroin, and crack cocaine, and possession of both drugs with intent to supply.

Lesleyanne Ball (22), mother of Hakim’s child, was given a 12-month community order including 200 hours of unpaid work after admitting allowing her home to be used for the processing drugs.

The court heard that police, who had been on to the gang’s activities opened a package sent to an address in Chamber Road, Oldham and found magazines and restaurant menus. When checked closely, heroin worth £68,000 was found hidden in the menu linings. More packages were checked and the addresses raided.