Low-life who lived high life
Reporter: DAWN MARSDEN
Date published: 01 November 2010
OLDHAM’s top policeman has condemned a drugs gang leader who led a lifestyle of flashing the cash and driving expensive cars.
Mohammed Farid, of Wellington Road, Coppice, is awaiting sentence after admitting conspiracy to supply heroin, cocaine and cannabis at Manchester Crown Court.
Yet the 37-year-old presented himself as an upstanding member of the community running three successful businesses while behind closed doors he headed up a sinister drug smuggling gang.
And Chief Supt Tim Forber says securing convictions against Farid and his gang sends out a clear message: “I know there are a number of people in the community who saw Farid and his men with their illegal gains and looked up to them and aspired to be like them.
“These men are not role models and I want to stress, especially to the younger generation in Oldham, that this is not a glamorous lifestyle.”
Eight of the gang members were sentenced to a total of 46 years behind bars and a further two are awaiting sentence.
Police launched a huge operation to smash the gang after drugs were found at a house in Abbeyhills.
Their investigations led them to uncover heroin, cocaine and cannabis worth £2.5 million at various locations across the borough as well as £39,000 in cash.
Farid’s assets have been frozen and the police are now working to recoup the money the group made from selling drugs.
Chief Supt Forber said: “Farid effectively glamorised the drug trade by flashing his cash and driving his expensive cars.
“He recruited his gang and offered them what appeared to be large amounts of cash for relatively little effort. Being involved in the sale and supply of drugs is not easy money.
“Drugs ruin lives and if you are caught selling them you will go to prison for a long time. Do not be tempted by the lure of money. Even if you think you can get away with just doing one job, if you are caught the police and courts will not discriminate and you will be severely punished.
“This operation has already been hugely successful in terms of the amount of drugs seized and to take this gang out of operation and get them locked up is a great result for GMP and, in particular, the people of Oldham.
“We have been speaking to the community, listening to what concerns they have and working tirelessly to address them. This result proves we will be pro active and thoroughly investigate the information we get.”
Detective Sergeant Martin Hopkinson, from GMP’s Drugs Unit, added: “Farid paraded as a legitimate businessman but in reality was the kingpin of a massive drug trafficking operation.
“Farid was the top dog at the head of this drug gang and today’s sentences prove that regardless of the level you are at, if you are involved in the production, sale or supply of class A drugs you face a very lengthy prison sentence.”
