Drug Lords Behind Bars in Manchester Cocaine Bust
Three men have been locked up after a deadly cocaine racket was smashed by police. Jake Meade of Chadderton, Dale Reid from Blackley, and Liam McGrath, homeless, were sentenced yesterday for conspiring to supply class A drugs.
Encrypted Phones Can’t Hide Crime
Detectives uncovered Meade as the ringleader of a slick organised crime gang using encrypted phones to traffic over 13 kilos of cocaine in just seven weeks. Each kilo sold between £37,000 and £40,000.
Under the alias ‘Cookietender’, Meade coordinated operations with Reid, aka ‘Navalhound’ and ‘Usualbee’, while McGrath acted as their trusted courier and storeman.
Van Hideout Plans Foiled by Police Raid
Encrypted messages revealed plans to buy a van fitted with secret compartments for drugs and cash, ditching backpacks for a stealthier approach. The gang’s empire came crashing down after a police raid on July 30, 2020, which saw Meade and Reid arrested.
Officers seized over £43,000 in cash, three vehicles, designer clothes, luxury handbags, jewellery including a Cartier watch and bracelet, a diamond ring, and Louis Vuitton bracelets.
Long Sentences Handed Down
Meade and Reid each received 14 years and five months in prison, while McGrath got seven years at Manchester Crown Court for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
Detective Sergeant Paul Halliwell from 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.”
“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.”
Help Police Tackle Drug Crime
If you have info about drug dealing in your area, report it online or use GMP’s LiveChat service at www.gmp.police.uk. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
