DRUGS CASE UPDATE: 21 people sentenced to a total of more than 47 years

9:39am Thursday 31st January 2008

TWENTY-ONE people have been sentenced to a total of more than 47 years in prison after police smashed a major drugs ring in Bury.

The defendants, whose ages range from 17 to 42, were arrested when officers raided a number of addresses across the Bury area in June last year.

Peter Christopher Bedford (24), of Kingfisher Drive, Bury, received the longest jail term when he was imprisoned for five years and four months.

Police say the raids followed months of painstaking undercover work by officers who acted on vital information given by a number of people in the local community.

Officers from the Bury division were supported by Greater Manchester Police's Tactical Aid Unit, dog section and the force's financial investigation unit.

Senior police officers in Bury have welcomed the success of the investigation, codenamed Operation Saluki.

Superintendent Peter Scofield said: "These are fantastic results which would not have been possible without the support of the local community.

"I'd like to thank them for taking a stand against these criminals.

"The repercussions of drug use are huge, ranging from people feeling threatened walking along their own streets to an increase in burglary and robbery by addicts who are funding their habit."

He added: "There is no place for drugs on the streets of Bury and I sincerely hope these results shows our commitment and determination to crack down on drug crime in the area."

All the sentences were handed down at Bolton Crown Court except Mark Reginald Ridings, of no fixed address, and a 17-year-old youth who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Four of the offenders had their sentences suspended.

Anybody with any information about drug dealing in their area should contact Greater Manchester Police on (0161) 872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Crimes and punishment

Supplying Class A drugs, offering to supply Class A drugs and possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply: Peter Christopher Bedford (24), of Kingfisher Drive, Bury; jailed for five years and four months.

Supplying Class A drugs, being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and possession with intent to supply Class C drugs: Omar Sadique (26), of Walmersley Road, Bury; jailed for four years.

Supplying Class A drugs: Lewis Darbo (20), of Woodward Road, Prestwich; jailed for four years and four months.

Shaun Young (42), of Walmersley Road, Bury; jailed for four years and four months.

Tabriaz Mahmood (26), of East Street, Bury; jailed for four years.

Nathaniel Daniel (26), of Nuttall Avenue, Whitefield; jailed for three years and four months.

Jason Boswell (20), of Goldfinch Drive, Bury; jailed for two years and four months, plus a further two months for failing to answer bail.

Lee Anthony Crook (26), of Rochdale Road East, Heywood: jailed for 18 months.

Wendy Christine Holt (35), of Ivy Road, Bury; given a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years.

Tracie Owen-Barlow (42), of St John's Court, Knutsford; given a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years.

Salen Silawi (27), of Rectory Grove, Prestwich. given a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years.

Supplying class A drugs and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs: Daniel Lee Tetlow (26), of Kingfisher Drive, Bury; jailed for three years and four months, plus a further eight months for breach of a previous suspended sentence.

Jack Tetlow (22), of Kingfisher Drive, Bury; jailed for two years and eight months.

Benjamin Schofield (32), of Cliff Avenue, Bury; jailed for two years and four months.

Being concerned in the supply of class A drugs: Guljamal Din (24), of Royal Avenue, Bury; jailed for three years and four months.

Sam Paul Thomas (26), produced from prison; jailed for two years and eight months and also two years, to run consecutively, for an unrelated arson offence.

Phillip William Hall (29), of Ivy Road, Bury; jailed for two years and four months.

Christopher Glover (23), produced from prison; jailed for two years.

Lee David Mellor (20), of Deal Street, Bury; given a 12-month sentence, suspended for two years, and 300 hours unpaid work.

Beverley Florence Crook (45), of Walmersley Road, Bury; to be sentenced on February 15.

Supplying Class A drugs, possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply and possession of cannabis: Youth aged 17. Sentenced to 12 months custody and a drug treatment and testing order.

Offering to supply Class A drugs and theft: Mark Reginald Ridings (33), of no fixed address; jailed for six months.