Three men handed a total of 28 years for supplying cocaine across Bolton and Bury

GMP Bolton Challenger Team conducted proactive investigative work into the supply of cocaine within the Bolton and Bury areas of Greater Manchester which led to an investigation being launched in November 2023. 

The investigation focused on three individuals, Keiron Leonard (03/02/1993), Rhys Shaw (07/05/1991), and Mark Cosgrave (07/01/1973), who were working together in obtaining large weights of cocaine before breaking down the drug and supplying it to other drug dealers within the Greater Manchester area. 

The investigation uncovered that between November 2023 and May 2024 the group had supplied approximately 14 kilos of Cocaine.  

Leonard was identified as the head of the group, arranging the influx of large weights of cocaine and instructing the others to collect money and deal the drugs on his behalf.  

Shaw, identified as the right-hand man of Leonard, and was responsible for supplying street dealers and collecting the cash from the drug sales.

Cosgrave was trusted to keep the drugs at his home address. His role was to dilute the cocaine with adulterants to maximise profits, repackage and supply the drugs.

On 10 May 2024 their criminal operation came to an end when officers from the GMP Bolton Challenger Unit executed search warrants at each of their home addresses. Cosgrave, Leonard and Shaw were subsequently arrested.  

Over £24,000 worth of Cocaine was seized from the home address of Cosgrave, as well as adulterants used in the cutting of Cocaine and a hydraulic press believed to be used to repackage the cocaine.

Over £7,000 in cash was seized from the home address of Shaw. During the search of Leonard’s address, three Rolex watches with a value of over £80,000 was also seized.

There was evidence that Leonard was clearly living a lavish lifestyle as a result of his criminality, often going on luxury holidays, and wearing designer clothing and expensive watches.

All three were charged and remanded into custody, and all pleaded guilty to the offences.

Kieron Leonard, of Corston Grove, Blackrod, was sentenced to 14 years and three months after he was convicted of being concerned in the supply of cocaine. 

Rhys Shaw, of Albert Road, Bury, was sentenced to seven years and six months after he was convicted of being concerned in the supply of cocaine. 

Mark Cosgrave, of Medlock Way, Bury, was sentenced to six years and nine months after he was also convicted of being concerned in the supply of cocaine. 

Detective Inspector Waywell, of Bolton Challenger Unit, said: “I am pleased with this sentence today. I hope it sends a stark message to anyone looking to commit drug offences, and I hope it reassures our residents that we will continue to act on intelligence to keep them safe. 

“Our Challenger team will always pursue and actively target those involved in the supply of drugs, as this criminality causes misery for those in our communities and often involves the exploitation of children and vulnerable people. 

"We rely on information from the public and we urge people to continue to submit any suspicious activity to us, it is a vital part of our investigations.”

If you have any information, you can report it to police by calling 101, via gmp.police.uk, or by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.