Sixteen accused of drug conspiracy

FOUR men from Oldham have pleaded guilty to their roles in a drugs conspiracy.

They were among 16 defendants who appeared at Teesside Crown Court following Cleveland Police’s biggest-ever anti-drug operation.

Arrests were made when more than 300 officers from Teesside and Greater Manchester carried out raids in March, following a 15-month inquiry.

Benjamin Graham (25), of Greenwood Street, Oldham; Jamie Knox (25) of Oakworth Croft, Oldham; Stephen Mayall (29), of High Barn Street, Royton; and David Wrigley (31), of Oldham Road, Failsworth, all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class-A drugs.

Also pleading guilty were Ben Crombie (30), of Holme House Street, Littleborough and Mark Dutton (58), of Nailgate, Rochdale.

They will be sentenced after the trial of others alleged to have been involved.