Gang linked with organised crime sentenced to over 20 years following two successful Oldham Challenger probes

Yesterday (Friday) a Judge at Manchester Crown Court ordered that five men be sentenced to over 20 years for drugs, firearms and counterfeit currency offences.

The men were subject to two Oldham Challenger investigations codenamed Operation Toulon and Operation Backbone.

Warren Ali (aged 38) of Brelade Road, Liverpool pleaded guilty of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply and possession of criminal property.

He received a jail term of three years.

Janade Parvez (27) of Cotton Mill Crescent in Oldham was sentenced to nine years and nine months after pleading guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs, mainly crack cocaine and heroin and two counts of being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of a Colt semi-automatic pistol.

Taylor Inman (30) of Staley Road in Mossley was sentenced to 12 months after pleading guilty to being concerned in supply of cannabis.

Russell Bryan (31) of Oakbridge Road, Harpurhey was sentenced to two years three months after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Brian Threadgale (37) of NFA but from the Chadderton area, was investigated as part of both operations.

He was jailed for five years.

A sixth man who pleaded guilty received a conditional discharge due to serving an extended sentence previously.

Both of GMP's investigations were extremely fast-moving due to the constant stream of intelligence that was being received from the community.

Warrants were quickly applied for – and granted - on the suspects’ homes.

In respect of Operation Toulon, a warrant executed at the home of Ashmore on December 11, 2020, in which two bags of white powder were found in a bag hanging from a hook under the stairs.

Tests carried out by experts revealed 70% and 64% purity respectively.

A grip-style bag was also found, which contained cocaine at 79% purity.

Approximately £25,000 of cash was seized as well as two mobile phones, which were sent for forensic analytic investigation.

Text messages between Ashmore and Threadgale were uncovered, in which they discussed cocaine for sale, a conversation joined by Ali, in which he advised he can secure one kilogram of the Class A drug for £47,000.

Further evidence from one of the mobile phones recorded Ashmore sourcing kilo amounts of cannabis from Threadgale, Ali and another party, involved in the collection and supply of the Class B drugs.

Ashmore was additionally recorded sourcing kilo amounts of ketamine and dealing with the onward supply of the drug and Threadgale attempted to buy in bulk from him.

Between September 12, 2020 and December 4, 2020, text messages evidenced that Ashmore invested £10,000 to another, to pay for the production of counterfeit currency, at a return of £20,000, with £10,000 being counterfeit. 

During Operation Backbone, GMP's armed officers executed a warrant at the address of Parvez, who was suspected of possessing a firearm, on Cotton Mill Crescent on Monday, December 4, 2023.

Several weapons, including an air rifle, a large amount of cash, and mobile phones were seized from the property.

A hydraulic press was also seized from the address which contained traces of heroin.

A car outside belonging to Parvez was searched and a quantity of class A drugs was found.

As a result, Parvez was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and taken into custody for questioning.

After a review of Parvez's phones by specialist analysts, conversations were discovered between him and the other males around the supply of class A and B drugs.

Police found he had been in conversation with an unknown individual about sourcing large amounts of heroin from Pakistan.

An image of a Colt semi-automatic firearm was also found.

On Tuesday, January 16, 2024, simultaneous warrants were conducted once again at his address, and also at Staley Road in Mossley – the home of Inman.

In there, we found drugs, cash and mobile phones as well as two Rolex watches, which were seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

Bryan was arrested at his address on Oakbridge Walk in Harpurhey on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class B drugs.

Threadgale was subsequently visited at HMP Buckley Hall, where he was serving a sentence for his role in another matter.

He refused to be interviewed and was subsequently charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

A search of his cell yielded a mobile phone.

DC Brown, of Oldham Challenger team working on Operation Toulon and DC Lomax of Operation Backbone, said: “Both of these investigations were complex, with many moving parts.

“The initial stages were fast, with us securing warrants quickly following the influx of information and then they slowed down once we have to wait for the data on the seized mobile phones to be downloaded and forensically analysed.

"Today’s results have only reinforced our mission of identifying, locating and charging those individuals who are involved in drugs and organised crime.

“The illegal drug market impacts communities across Greater Manchester and is responsible for a large amount of organised crime across our area.

“This then leads to a number of other crimes, including violence, anti-social behaviour, and criminal exploitation. It also harms people’s health and wider society.

“As a force, we have launched the region’s first multi-agency drugs strategy which looks to build on the success we are experiencing in targeting, disrupting, and dismantling drugs gangs who thrive off the vulnerability of others.

“Partnering with other agencies and drug experts enables us to be informed when it comes to the activity of moving and dealing drugs, resulting in making more arrests and seizures.

“We have also made great strides in tackling firearms on the streets of Manchester over the last few years and in the last three years alone, we have confiscated 252 illegal firearms and have put organised crime members in prison to serve sentences of almost 500 years.

“Today’s sentences will now be added to this total.

“We have zero tolerance for this kind of activity happening on the streets of Manchester and our message is very clear – if you choose to be involved organised criminal activity, we will find you and you will be locked up.”

Greater Manchester Police can be contacted by dialling 101 or through the Live Chat function on the website: www.gmp.police.uk 

Information can be passed anonymously via the independent charity, Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Always dial 999 in an emergency.

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