A drugs gang which flooded the streets of Greater Manchester with cocaine was brought down after police discovered messages advertising 'beltin deals' to customers.
Daniel Degisi headed up the huge operation, which used a network of street dealers. Zach Hall was second in line and supplied those further down the chain with the drugs.
Hamza Iftikar and Richard Cranston were responsible for selling the product, while Jaymie Dawson and Michelle Richardson stashed the drugs in their homes.
READ MORE: 'I saw a homeless man humiliated for "likes"... I couldn't do nothing'
Analysis of Dawson’s phones showed she was also responsible for sending bulk messages out daily to customers, including ‘New gear in for xmas! Absolute stocked the **** up so all hours’ and ‘beltin deals still on aswell’.
Degisi, 37, tried to keep the operation at arm’s length, but detectives from GMP's Serious Organised Crime Group (SOCG) were able to pinpoint his every move and link him to the conspiracy.
Following a number of raids in 2021, police discovered the group were cutting their drugs and mixing them with unknown materials to increase their profits. This was evident from the volume of drugs paraphernalia found at their properties, including scales and mixing bowls.
Six members of the gang were jailed at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday (March 23).
Daniel Degisi, of Dukes Rise, Bury, has been jailed for 11 years and eight months years after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drug.
Zach Hall, 28, of Newfield View, Milnrow, Rochdale, has been jailed for nine years and four months after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
Michelle Richardson, 38, of Sunfield Way, Oldham, has been jailed for five years and four months after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
Jaymie Dawson, 28, of Linney Lane, Shaw, has been jailed for four years and six months after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs
Richard Cranston, 55, of Kingsway Gerards Cross, Buckinghamshire, has been jailed for six years after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs
Hamza Iftikar, 23, of Randale Drive, Bury, has been jailed for four years and nine months after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession with intent to supply class B drugs.
Detective Sergeant Matthew Whittaker from GMP Serious Organised Crime Group said: “The severity of these offences should not be underestimated, and the quantities of drugs we are talking about here are beyond substantial. The removal of these individuals will have a discernible difference on the streets of Greater Manchester.
“Drugs have devastating impacts on communities and are often a catalyst for serious crime due to drug disputes, and today's sentencings are another step forward in disrupting serious, organised crime and removing dangerous individuals off our streets
“A lot of work goes on behind the scenes on a daily basis to tackle organised crime, but information from the public plays a really important part in our investigations. We would always encourage the community to come to us with any suspicions or information they have concerning drug supply in their area. We will act on it.”
Anyone with information should report it online by using our LiveChat service at www.gmp.police.uk. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
READ NEXT:
- Residents made homeless after being thrown out of a block of flats given WEEKEND to collect their belongings
- The deal that will change Greater Manchester forever
- 'I'm after some socks': The simple plea from a rough sleeper
- 'We cannot bring twins home to a hotel': Dad facing homelessness makes plea to council
- Majority of homeless people in Wigan kicked out by landlords in 'no fault' evictions
