North Manchester drugs gang that supplied millions in cocaine sentenced after lead member observed burying packages

In 2024, following several leads, detectives launched a covert investigation with support from surveillance and phone work technology to identify the offenders and gather enough evidence so that they could take down the drugs line.  

The Campbell family organised crime group (OCG) was inherited by the brother of Thomas Campbell, who was found murdered at his home address back in July 2022. After he was killed, Campbell’s brother, Lee Campbell, took over the line to become the principal member and ran it as head of a highly organised and fully operational drugs line.  

At the start of the investigation, a mobile number was identified as being the drugs line for the Campbell family OCG, and the rest unravelled from there.  

As the investigation commenced, it became apparent that Steven Quinn featured heavily in the day-to-day dealing and was identified as being a drugs runner.  

The investigating team also found that Carlo Tommasello and Kelly Blundell were identified as working closely with Campbell in running the line, while Blundell was also involved in the preparation of the cocaine for supply from her home.  

A further three individuals were identified as being involved in the delivering of drugs, these being Stephen Mark Salinger, Mark McGrath and Paul Taylor.  

During the investigation, several purpose-made hides were discovered in woodland areas including Clayton Vale and Phillip’s Park. Hides are what criminals sometimes use to conceal their illegal commodities, such as drugs and guns, so that they can evade police if they are raided unexpectedly.  

Whilst carrying out surveillance, detectives observed Campbell on several occasions as he buried a large quantity of cocaine, which was later recovered by the investigation team.  

In December 2024, detectives found 16 packages buried in a hide, as well as two kilos of cocaine, which estimated to the street value of £95,600.00. 

Officers arrested Lee Campbell as he tucked into a mince pie and a brew at his home in north Manchester. The drugs that the OCG were distributing were buried in smell-proof pots with plastic snap bags, some with a red star symbol printed on them.   

During a search of Taylor’s home, detectives found a debtor’s list which amounted to around £40,000, and that he had been communicating internationally, which demonstrates the scale of this organised drugs supply operation. Cocaine, a large quantity of cash, and a mobile phone were also seized.  

Drugs seized from another man's address were estimated to the street value of £85,680. 

The valuation of the overall drugs supply conspiracy suggests at least 16kg of cocaine has been supplied, valued up to £1.6million. 

As a result of this thorough investigation, seven people were charged and remanded for several drugs offences.   

Yesterday (Friday 7 November 2025) at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square, Campbell along with six others have been sentenced for the supply and distribution of class A drugs in the north Manchester and Tameside areas.  

They have been handed the following sentences:    

Lee Campbell (13/09/1982), of Lightfoot Walk, Beswick, Manchester, has been sentenced to nine years and four months in prison.   

Carlo Tommasello (17/03/1987), of Dwarf Road, Droylsden, Tameside, has been sentenced to three years and eight months. 

Kelly Blundell (22/05/1988), of North Road, Clayton, Manchester, has been sentenced to two years and eight months.
 
Stephen Quinn (08/03/1978), of Edge Lane, Droylsden, Tameside, has been sentenced to three years and four months.  
 
Mark McGrath (11/02/1984), of Heather Street, Clayton, Manchester, has been sentenced to two years and eight months.
 
Paul Taylor (24/11/1983), of Lingfield Road, has been sentenced to two years and eight months.

Another man was handed two years' suspended sentence, with 150 hours unpaid work to be completed within 12 months.

Detective Inspector Claire Moss, from GMP’s City of Manchester North Challenger Team, said: “The City of Manchester North Challenger Team remains relentless in the pursuit and disruption of organised crime groups (OCGs), and these sentences today serve as a reminder that justice will be served.  

“This OCG made significant profits at the expense of vulnerable drug users and spared no consideration for anyone except themselves and their own gains.  

“Our team has put a lot of time and effort into this investigation, but our work does not stop here, we will continue to tackle serious and OCGs and the associated violence and exploitation that comes with them.     

“We do act on information provided by the public, and I want to personally encourage anyone with knowledge of criminal activity in their area to come forward.   

“Every piece of information, no matter how small it might seem, helps us build a clearer picture of criminal activity and take appropriate action.”  

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