Cousins jailed for part in drug plot

DRUG-DEALING cousins from Failsworth who were part of a £2 million plot to flood the streets with heroin, cocaine and cannabis have been jailed.

Neil Hazelwood (30) of Ben Brierley Wharf was sentenced to 11 and a half years for conspiracy to supply, possessing drugs with intent to supply, and money laundering.

Cousin David Hazelwood (42) was sentenced to four and a half years for possessing drugs with intent to supply and money laundering.

Bags of cannabis worth £36,000 and amphetamines worth £66,000 were seized from the pair’s home. A large amount of cash was also found.

Both men pleaded guilty to charges at Preston Crown Court. The men were part of a 16-strong drugs gang whose members received combined jail sentences totaling more than 62 years.

Police recovered more than eight kilograms of heroin, two kilograms of cocaine, more than three kilograms of cannabis and around 6,000 tablets containing class A drug - all worth £2 million on the streets. More than £100,000 in cash was seized.

Members of the gang were observed by police collecting a large quantity of cocaine from Liverpool and delivering it to Bury.

The seizure of the cocaine ultimately led to Neil Hazelwood being blackmailed and shot.

Michael Sierotko of Glossop was convicted of making the gun and of being part of an underworld plot to blackmail Hazelwood. He was cleared of attempting to murder him. He was jailed for nine and a half years last September. It is not known who fired the gun.

The men were all arrested and charged as part of Operation Forester, a two year investigation that began in June 2013.