Three men have been sentenced after a major cocaine trafficking operation in Manchester was dismantled by police. Jake Meade of Chadderton, Dale Reid from Blackley, and Liam McGrath, who is homeless, were convicted yesterday for conspiring to supply class A drugs.
Detectives identified Meade as the ringleader of an organised crime gang that used encrypted phones to traffic more than 13 kilograms of cocaine within seven weeks. Each kilogram was sold for between £37,000 and £40,000.
Operating under the alias ‘Cookietender’, Meade coordinated the drug supply with Reid, known as ‘Navalhound’ and ‘Usualbee’, while McGrath served as their trusted courier and storeman.
Encrypted communications revealed the gang’s plans to purchase a van fitted with secret compartments for transporting drugs and cash, replacing backpacks to avoid detection. The gang’s operation was disrupted following a police raid on July 30, 2020, which resulted in the arrests of Meade and Reid.
During the raid, officers seized over £43,000 in cash, three vehicles, designer clothing, luxury handbags, jewellery including a Cartier watch and bracelet, a diamond ring, and Louis Vuitton bracelets.
At Manchester Crown Court, Meade and Reid were each sentenced to 14 years and five months in prison. McGrath received a seven-year sentence for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
Detective Sergeant Paul Halliwell from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said: “This was a sophisticated and organised drugs operation which led to multiple kilos of cocaine being distributed across the region. They tried to hide behind expensive Encrochat technology but we cracked their operation.”
He added: “A huge quantity of drugs has been taken off the streets, and three dealers will be behind bars for years, ending their criminal days.”
“GMP will keep hunting those flooding our streets with drugs – these poisons fuel serious violence and put lives at risk.”
If you have information about drug dealing in your area, you are encouraged to report it online or use GMP’s LiveChat service at www.gmp.police.uk. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Originally published by UKNIP.
