Cops swooped on a car heading north on the M6 and found millions of pounds worth of drugs. Now a Manchester man has been jailed for 12 years.
John Hanley, aged 37, of Farmstead Close, Failsworth, was arrested on April 21 after officers from Cheshire Constabulary's Road and Crime Unit stopped his white 21-plate Audi RS Q3 near Knutsford. Inside they found a huge stash of class A drugs hidden in the boot. The haul was destined for distribution throughout Cheshire.
On the same day, officers from Greater Manchester Police's Challenger Team carried out warrants at two addresses, one of them Hanley's home, where they recovered additional, multiple kilos of cocaine.
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In statement, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) said: "Following further enquiries, NWROCU detectives were able to establish that Hanley has played a leading role in the supply and distribution of more than 250kg of cocaine.
"He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (cocaine) and possession of Class A drugs in June and was sentenced today (Monday) at Chester Crown Court to a total of 12 years."
Today, NWROCU welcomed his sentencing. Detective Sergeant Andy Nixon from the NWROCU Disruption Team said: "Hanley ran a large scale drugs dealing operation, organising the distribution of millions of pounds worth of Class A drugs for onward sale. The drugs that were seized from Hanley's car and from the addresses we searched were worth in excess of £3million pounds.
“The supply of such drugs causes widespread harm across the community and is inextricably linked to other serious offences, causing harm to the most vulnerable in society. Here at the NWROCU we’re committed to targeting the supply of drugs and will leave no stone unturned in pursuit of those people who think they are above the law."
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