Bury: Gang plotted to flood streets with Class A drugs

The organised crime group was led by 37-year-old Daniel Degisi, of Dukes Rise, Bury, and was involved in supplying cocaine across Manchester and the North West more broadly through a network of street dealers.

But this week Degisi and five fellow conspirators were all given lengthy jail sentences after an extensive police investigation.

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.

Daniel Degisi (Image: GMP)

“The removal of these individuals will have a discernible difference on the streets of Greater Manchester.”

The rest of the gang were Zach Hall, 28 of Newfield View, Milnrow, Michelle Richardson, 38 of Sunfield Way, Oldham, Jaymie Dawson, 28 of Linney Lane, Shaw, Richard Cranston, 56 of Kingsway, Gerards Cross, Buckinghamsire and Hamza Iftikar, 23 of Randale Drive, Bury.

Each of them had their part to play in the conspiracy.

According to detectives, Hall appeared to be next in line, supplying those lower down the chain with the products, Iftikar and Cranston would sell the product, and Dawson and Richardson stashed the drugs in their houses.

An analysis of Dawson’s phones also showed she was 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.”

Following a number of raids in 2021, police discovered the group were cutting their drugs and mixing with unknown materials to increase their profits.

This was evident from the volume of drugs paraphernalia recovered in their houses including scales and mixing bowls.

During the course of the gang’s trial, the court heard how Degisi had tried to keep the operation at arm’s length and left the groundwork to the rest of the group.

But detectives were able to pinpoint his every move and link him to the conspiracy and all six were given lengthy jail sentences.

Degisi was jailed for 11 years and eight months years after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Second in line, Hall was jailed for nine years and four months after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs while Richardson was jailed for five years and four months again after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Dawson was sentenced to four years and six months, while Cranston was jailed for six years for the same offences.

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Finally, Iftikar was 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.

DS Whittaker said: “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.”