A Manchester man has been jailed for eight years after being found with a gun and a large quantity of drugs after a raid by GMP’s Challenger Team

Jervis Bailey (04/10/1979) of Gartland Walk, Crumpsall was yesterday jailed at Manchester Crown Court for a total of eight years.

At an earlier court hearing, Bailey had pleaded guilty to the following:

• Possessing a prohibited firearm.
• Possession of ammunition for a firearm without a certificate.
• Possession of a firearm without a certificate.
• Possession with intent to supply class A drugs, namely cocaine.
• Possession with intent to supply class A drugs, namely heroin.

The court heard how Bailey had turned up at an address on Wellington Road in Crumpsall on 12 February 2024 at approximately 9pm.

Acting aggressively to a person present in the property, witnesses reported Bailey was brandishing a silver handgun. And whilst the firearm was not discharged, this interaction lasted approximately 20 minutes.

Following an investigation by the COM North Challenger Team, Bailey was arrested on 10 June 2024 at his home on Gartland Walk. He directed officers to an outbuilding related to his property, where a bag containing a self-loading pistol, 33 rounds of ammunition, a silencer and over half a kilo of heroin was recovered.

Scales and bags were also seized, for use in the distribution of the drugs, as well as a number of mobile phones and a machete, which was found in Bailey’s bedroom.

Bailey was subsequently arrested and charged.

PC Alston of COM North Challenger Team said: “Our investigation into a firearm being brandished at a property resulted in a successful find of a large quantity of drugs and ammunition as well as the weapon in question.

“We are pleased with today’s sentence, which has resulted in a dangerous individual being taken off the streets of Manchester for a considerable amount of time.

“Identifying and charging individuals who bring guns and drugs into our communities putting people at risk remains a priority for GMP and through the hard work and dedication of the Challenger Team, we have been able to do just that.

“Programme Challenger is an ongoing operation and is aimed at tacking serious and organised crime and this case underscores our commitment to this.

“Serious and organised crime can have a life-changing, and life-long, impact on the lives of those involved, who are usually the most vulnerable in our society. We will continue to move quickly to ensure those involved in illegal activity are swiftly brought to justice.

If you are concerned about criminal activity within your area, you can report this to us directly on 101 or by reporting information using our online report tool at www.gmp.police.uk. You can also report information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.