Couple sentenced for running Class A drug dealing operation

A couple have been sentenced for planning to distribute £70,000 worth of Class A drugs in Greater Manchester.

Michael Hassan (aged 28), who is currently in prison, has been sentenced to six years, eight months in prison, for possession with intent to supply and conspiracy to conceal criminal property.

He pleaded guilty to all counts at Manchester Crown Court (Crown Square) on Thursday, May 13, 2021.

Hassan is currently already serving a sentence of four years for possession with intent to supply back in 2017.

Due to Hassan manipulating the court system to his own benefit, and changing his plea multiple times, he was able to continue with his criminality before he was eventually jailed in March, 2020.

He will serve this new sentence on top of the 42 months that he is currently serving.

Umi Noor (37), of St Bee's Close, Manchester, has been sentenced to four years, one month, for possession with intent to supply and conspiracy to conceal criminal property.

She pleaded guilty to all counts at Manchester Crown Court (Crown Square) on Wednesday, December 16, 2020.

On Friday, November 22, 2019, officers conducted a search warrant at a property on St Bee's Close in Manchester.

A tin was discovered in a bedroom wardrobe that contained a large quantity of wraps of heroine, to the estimated value of £43,000, as well as white rocks that tested positive as crack cocaine.

The estimated value of the drugs discovered in total is £73,000.

Further searches uncovered a JD Sports bag containing freezer bags, and a Foot Asylum bag also containing freezer bags, electronic scales, a spoon with traces of brown powder, and a brush.

When questioned, Noor attempted to cover for Hassan, claiming that her boyfriend called 'Rico' had left the drugs in her home, and that she had no knowledge of them.

However, after a detailed examination of Noor's phone, Hassan was identified through pictures of them together along with messages that indicated the pair had been operating a Class A Drug supply business in Bolton.

It was also uncovered that Noor was hiring cars on behalf of Hassan, to use for the distribution of drugs.

The intelligence that led to the warrant was gathered as part of Operation Apostle, which targets organised crime and the distribution of drugs in Manchester city centre.

Police Constable Sam Schofield, from GMP's City of Manchester's Intelligence Development Unit, said: "This is a fantastic example of the importance of gathering intelligence, that can be used to intervene and tackle organised crime.

"Not only were we able to remove a significant quantity of drugs from the streets of Greater Manchester, which could have ruined lives, but hopefully this hammers home the message that we are committed to ensuring the communities we serve are kept safe, and that the risk of harm is reduced.

"A lot of unseen work went into bringing Hassan and Noor to justice, and officers often rely on the intelligence and information received from members of the public.

"I would encourage anyone with any information or concerns to contact the police, whether in person, by telephone on 0161 856 4428, online at: www.gmp.police.uk or anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

"If you say something, we'll be able to do something about it."

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