A man has been jailed for the possession of a readily convertible firearm, one of the first people in Greater Manchester to be charged for the offence
Three more people who were part of his organised crime group were also jailed for their roles in class B drug supply of THC and synthetic cannaboids
The OCG were jailed for more than 11 years in total.
The group used social media platform Telegram to advertise the sale of these substances, primarily to children.
Sufiaan Ali aged 20 of Hardy Street, Oldham was jailed for four years after pleading guilty to possession of a readily convertible firearm. Ali was also charged with being concerned in the supply of class B drugs (namely THC and synthetic cannaboids) and possession of criminal property.
The firearm was found in a neighbour’s garden after Ali threw it from his bedroom window as officers were gaining entry.
Also seized from the property was £1,000 cash and a mobile phone linked to the drug supply operation. Further enquiries linked Ali to a safety deposit box containing a gold bar, a gold coin, and cryptocurrency.
Detective Sergeant John Schofield, who led the investigation, said: “This case demonstrates the dedication and hard work of our officers in dismantling drug supply networks and bringing those responsible to justice.
“The online space in terms of drug supply (and other forms of criminality) is getting quite prevalent. We have dedicated social media investigation officers who have been trained in working online and gathering evidence from the online space.
“Criminals are now targeting their drug dealings to younger people on social media, packaging the vapes to appeal to kids. But our team are committed to dismantling these organised crime groups.
Omar Abu-Sharkh 20 of Lees Road, Oldham was sentenced to three years four months imprisonment.
Mohammed Jalal Aftab 20 of Hayfield Close, Oldham was sentenced to two years in prison.
Qais Rasul 20 of Tynwald Street, Oldham was sentenced to two years three months for being concerned in the supply of class B drugs.
