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Police posed as addicts to trap drugs gang
2/ 8/2008
SEVEN Rochdale men have been sentenced to more than 17 years in jail for their part in a major drugs ring.
The men were members of a 26-strong syndicate who admitted selling crack cocaine and heroin on the streets of Heywood.
They were brought to justice after undercover police officers posed as drug addicts during Operation Bluebeard, which was carried out between June and November last year.
Rashid Hussain, aged 21, of Trafalgar Street, Wardleworth, was sentenced to four years and six months for supplying Class A drugs.
Mustafa Khan, aged 28, of Witley Road, Newbold, was given three years and eight months.
Mohammed Ali, aged 25, of Durham Street, Deeplish, Kamram Zafar, aged 21, of High Barn Close, Merefield and Amir Javid, aged 19, of Good Shepherd Close, Wardleworth, were each sentenced to three years.
Imad ul Haque, aged 19, of Yarwell, Falinge, was given a nine-month sentence, suspended for two years.
Adeel Mansoor, aged 19, of Heights Lane, Falinge, was the final member of the gang in the dock after all 26 pleaded guilty.
He was given a six-month sentence suspended for 12 months and 150 hours’ unpaid work.
The total jail terms handed out at Bolton Crown Court exceeded 60 years.
Eighteen people are now in jail with a further six given suspended sentences.
Two juveniles, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were also convicted as part of the operation.
Operation Bluebeard culminated with 20 dawn raids on properties last November, when police seized 100 mobile phones and £4,000 of drugs.
Detective Sergeant Jed Sudworth, from Rochdale CID, said: "This marks the culmination of more than a year’s work to remove those people from our communities, who continue to spread drugs and exploit addicts.
"I am really pleased with the result, and hope it sends a clear message to other offenders and the local community that we will continue to work hard to reduce drug dealing and the massively detrimental affect it has on people.
"We will keep trying to seize any assets that these offenders got from selling drugs and will be making applications under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
"We are determined that these people don’t benefit any more from their criminality and other people’s misery."
Most recent 2 of 5 user comments
Drugs are wrecking this country. 10 years minimum for dealing in drugs is what is needed.
4/08/2008 at 07:39
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