THREE men involved in a conspiracy to flood the streets of Rochdale with drugs have been sent to prison.
A woman also involved was given a suspended jail sentence.
All four were part of a conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs around the Wardleworth area between December 2006 and April 20008.
They are the final members of a gang jailed for a total of more than 60 years.
Javed Iqbal, aged 32, of West Street, Rochdale, admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and was jailed for 11 years at Bolton Crown Court on Friday.
Azad Hussain, aged 24, of Mere Street, Freehold, admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and was jailed for four years.
Jafar Anwar, aged 23, of Sheriff Street, Rochdale, admitted conspiracy to supply cannabis and money laundering and was jailed for 17 months.
Edwina Hosking, aged 24, of Cateaton Street, Bury, admitted conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine and was given a suspended 12-month sentence.
As part of the operation police recovered heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis with an estimated street value of £430,000, and £125,000 in cash.
In December 2006, police were called to an incident on Harvey Street, Rochdale. Inside they recovered drugs worth just over £400,000 and £20,000 cash.
Ayub Abbas, aged 24, was jailed for six years in June 2007 in relation to that incident.
As part of the subsequent operation, codenamed Operation Bluebeard, 26 drug dealers were jailed for more than 60 years in 2008.
Officers responded to information supplied from the public about drug dealing, as well as openly policing the areas of Heywood and Rochdale where the dealers were operating.
In November 2007 dawn raids were carried out on 20 addresses in the area and 100 mobile phones were seized.
Detective Constable Keith Baron, who led the investigation, said: "This investigating has been nothing short of painstaking but the fact we have locked up so many drug dealers for such a long time is a fantastic result and testament to the dedication of all officers involved. Residents in Rochdale should be rightly reassured by the work we are doing and I would like to thank them for the information that comes through to us that helps us with our investigations. The sentence also sends a clear message to others in the area involved in the sale and supply of drugs that we are dedicated to bringing you justice and will work tirelessly to do so."
Detective Sergeant Jared Sudworth of the drug unit at Rochdale, added: "This has been a hugely complex and lengthy investigation that has included the analysis of several thousand phone calls. I cannot praise enough the work of all those involved for their dedication and determination in bringing this gang to justice."
Showing 1 to 11 of 11 comments | View All
Mavis, Rochdale (03/02/2010 at 09:14)
Well done to the Greater Manchester Police and all concerned in taking these creatures off our streets. It is the tip of the iceberg but a welcome start.
Peter Rochdale, Rochdale (03/02/2010 at 12:53)
KevinK (03/02/2010 at 13:07)
Henry Kelly, Ireland (03/02/2010 at 14:07)
The Chef, Spotland (03/02/2010 at 14:42)
I'm sure that if so many have been caught, the word would have been out on the street, but it does not deter those that still ply their trade in my leafy suburb! It would be good to know that with the information I have offered to the authorities that their days will be numbered as well.
Harrysmate, Rochdale (03/02/2010 at 16:34)
NEVERINDOUBT, EU (04/02/2010 at 10:27)
MPs gravy train, UK (04/02/2010 at 18:51)
thomas dunn (05/02/2010 at 10:18)
Tom Shawclough
Ajnabi, Rochdale (06/02/2010 at 23:21)
<< @ Thomas Dunn - It is not OK to deal drugs, so please don’t generalise it to Muslims – you wouldn’t be saying this is it was a non-Muslim who was caught >>
The Muslim community of Wardleworth (and Rochdale) condemns this sort of activity. We are working with the police to put these criminals away (like a local group of volunteers -WFA who are trying to raise awareness in the community of drug taking and dealing).
Please do not blame the all the Muslims for a few bad seeds in the Muslim community (all communities have this type of people - it's just that in recent years when ever a Muslim does anything wrong it is highlighted in the media!!). We do not have a place in civilised community for scum like this.
Over the past years this trend is increasing, let alone police stopping youths with flash cars - I would say it is the responsibility of the parents to question their sons as to where they got the vehicle from and how they acquired the money (especially if they are not working).
We should all be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police and lets put scum like these where they belong (behind bars) and keep them there. They should have got a lot more years for the misery their actions have bought our community.
I think the police should have a more visible impact in the Wardleworth area to show the drug dealers they mean business!!! I live in the community and very rarely see them about, no wonder the drug dealing is increasing in our community.
Bring back BOBBY ON THE BEAT!!!!
Muslim Brother from Wardleworth.
Laber Ripoff (20/04/2010 at 22:24)