Final member of organised crime group sentenced to 14 years and 9 months following the work of GMP's Serious Organised Crime Group

GMP Detectives kept the OCG under surveillance as they used encrypted mobile phones to communicate and arrange their drugs drop-offs between 2019 and 2020.

Over £60k in cash, 27.5 kilos of cocaine and 50 kilos of amphetamine totalling £400K were seized as part of the large-scale investigation, along with machinery including a hydraulic press and paraphernalia used in the preparation of drugs.

Between June and December 2019, Michael Doyle (15/08/1986) from Salford, was identified as the head of the organised crime group and an investigation was launched.

Following months of work undertaken by a covert team of officers who kept the group under close surveillance, officers watched as they travelled around Greater Manchester and Lancashire dropping off various packages of drugs & picking large amounts of cash.

Some of the encrypted phones, which are largely used by criminals wanting to avoid being tracked by police, were recovered by officers following a raid at the home of Michael Mason from Salford on 1 October 2019 and showed a large amount of contact between group members.

By the end of November 2020, all nine men had been arrested and later charged following several raids, with drugs and cash located at various addresses around Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

Eight men in the OCG were sentenced at Manchester Crown Court between 13-16 September 2021, and received lengthy custodial sentences.

Today (Friday 10 February 2023), OCG ringleader Michael Doyle (15/08/1986) from Salford was sentenced today to 14 years and 9 months in prison for conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply cannabis and conspiracy to supply amphetamine.

All nine OCG members have sentenced to a total of 66 years in prison as a result of Operation Erath and Operation Venetic.

Detective Sergeant David Moran, of GMPs Serious and Organised Crime Group, said: "This complex investigation involved a large team of detectives and specialist staff who monitored the group and gathered sufficient intelligence to execute raid on the addresses we knew criminality was taking place and as a result we seized large volumes of drugs and cash.

"All nine men were key figures across the North West drug supply chain and we are thrilled that we have been able to sentenced all nine men for their crimes and remove them from our communities.

"I would like to thank all our officers and staff who have worked extremely hard since the birth of this operation and we couldn’t be happier with the result not only because it has brough justice but it has also removed these men from our streets in Greater Manchester and the North West."

Anyone with concerns or information about serious and organised crime can contact police on 101.

Alternatively, reports can be made via our Live Chat facility on our website at www.gmp.police.uk

Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.