Oldham man imprisoned for possession of a readily convertible firearm

Sufiaan Ali (aged 20), of Hardy Street in Oldham, has been jailed for four years after pleading guilty to possession of a readily convertible firearm.

Ali was one of the first people in Greater Manchester to be charged with such an offence.

Ali was also charged with being concerned in the supply of class B drugs (namely THC and synthetic cannaboids) and possession of criminal property.

Two more people who were part of his organised crime group were also jailed for their roles in class B drug supply (THC and synthetic cannaboids) and possession of criminal property.

Omar Abu-Sharkh (20), of Lees Road in Oldham, was sentenced to three years four months imprisonment. 

Mohammed Jalal Aftab (20), of Hayfield Close in Oldham, was sentenced to two years in prison. 

Qais Rasul (20), of Tynwald Street in Oldham, was sentenced to two years three months for being concerned in the supply of class B drugs.

In February, police supported a national amnesty to recover Turkish-manufactured Top Venting Blank Firers.

Officers recovered 76 blank-firers along with several hundred rounds of ammunition as part of a coordinated surrender scheme, representing one of the highest recovery rates of any force in the country during this initiative.

Four of the 76 blank-firers were handed in to police on the final two days of the amnesty, before owning these weapons became illegal as of March 1, 2025.

Since April 2021, police have recovered 315 viable firearms in total - with at least 119 of them having been converted blank firers. 

The sentencing comes after our dedicated County Lines Team conducted a warrant on Hardy Street on February 6 2025 after monitoring activity on a social media-based drug line as part of a long-form investigation.

The firearm was found in a neighbour’s garden after Ali threw it from his bedroom window as officers were gaining entry.

Also seized from the property was £1,000 cash and a mobile phone linked to the drug supply operation.

Further enquiries linked Ali to a safety deposit box containing a gold bar, a gold coin, and cryptocurrency.

Evidence collected at this property led officers to a search second address on Oldham Road in Failsworth and further items believed to be used to manufacture and distribute drugs were seized.

The firearm and drugs recovery uncovered a web of criminality involving three other individuals concerned in the supply of THC and synthetic cannabinoids through a social media app Telegram drug channel known as "TenTenLiquids".

The investigation began when officers conducted a search at a property on Acre Lane in Oldham on August 1, 2024.

This search led to the discovery of hundreds of vials of THC liquid and synthetic cannabinoids.

Subsequent enquiries revealed that Telegram was being used to supply these substances primarily to children.

The synthetic cannabinoids are marketed as “THC liquids” to appeal to cannabis users, with flavoured vape liquids being mixed to appeal to children.

The effects can cause serious side effects akin to spice use and can be fatal in some cases.

On October 31, 2024, a warrant took place at the address of Omar Abu-Sharkh and Qais Rasul.

Officers seized large quantities of synthetic cannabinoids, £7,000 in cash, cryptocurrency worth approximately £12,000, and a gold bar valued at £7,000 as well as a machete and BB pistols. 

After Abu-Sharkh and Rasul were detained in police custody, a new Telegram user was now controlling the channel to advertise THC liquids and vapes.

Officers were able to identify the new controller as Mohammed Jalal Aftab.

He was arrested on November 27, 2024 at Hayfield Close in Oldham.

Seized items from his arrest included an iPhone being used to control the Telegram channel, £1,000 cash, and empty plastic tubes previously used to contain synthetic cannabinoids.

Mobile phone work from this seized device showed Aftab’s association to Sufiaan Ali, with Ali’s bank details, including his name, being provided to drug users and suppliers to make payment for synthetic cannabinoids.

The four men have been jailed for more than 11 years. 

Detective Sergeant John Schofield, who led the investigation, said: "This case demonstrates the dedication and hard work of our officers in dismantling drug supply networks and bringing those responsible to justice.

“The online space in terms of drug supply (and other forms of criminality) is getting quite prevalent.

"We have dedicated social media investigation officers who have been trained in working online and gathering evidence from the online space.

“Criminals are now targeting their drug dealings to younger people on social media, packaging the vapes to appeal to kids.

"But our team are committed to dismantling these organised crime groups.

“If you see something that doesn’t look right online, then report it to us.

"We will listen to you and have the resources to investigate.

“What started out as an investigation into a drugs line ended with a viable firearm being removed from the streets.

“We will continue to pursue those who engage in such criminal activities across Greater Manchester.”

GMP can be contacted via 101 or reports can be made via the Live Chat service on the website: www.gmp.police.uk  

Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

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