Pair jailed for more than 34 years for drug offences

Two drug dealers – whose ‘Adam’ operation was featured on BBC show The Detectives – have been jailed following a long investigation.

Laraib Irshad (28) and Tariq Muneeb (33), both of Sumar Close in Rochdale, were sentenced at Leeds Crown Court, thanks to the Greater Manchester Police’s County Lines Team.

It carried out a raid at a house in Millfield Grove in April last year, where officers caught the pair red-handed, manufacturing large amounts of crack cocaine.

In their panic, the duo attempted to flush the crack cocaine down the toilet but this was recovered by officers. A female in the address was convicted for allowing her premises to be used for such purposes.

Seized materials provided valuable insights into the organisation’s activities, particularly the use of ‘flare messages’ from mobile phones to advertise the sale of crack cocaine and heroin to a large established network of recipients involved in both distribution and supply.

Searches conducted during the investigation resulted in the seizure of £30,000 worth of crack cocaine, £10,500 in cash along with other assets of value such as Sur-ron E-Bikes and vehicles used by Irshad and Muneeb.

At the time of their arrest, both Irshad (pictured right) and Muneeb (pictured left) were on bail for an investigation led by the National Crime Agency into large scale importation and supply of class A drugs utilising ‘Encro’ phones. Irshad was linked to over one tonne of cocaine being imported and distributed nationwide. Muneeb was linked to the supply of 35 kilograms of cocaine.

Following their guilty verdicts at court in relation to the Adam county line investigation, both Irshad and Muneeb pleaded guilty to their remaining charges in the NCA led investigation.

Irshad was jailed for 22 years, nine months, following his guilty plea for supply of crack cocaine and heroin, possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, possession of heroin, and conspiracy to supply cocaine.

A jury found Muneeb guilty of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply cocaine. He has been jailed for 12 years.

These sentences were served alongside those connected to an investigation conducted by the National Crime Agency into the importation and supply of over one tonne of cocaine.

DI Zoe MacDonald of GMP County Lines Team said: “This successful operation underscores our commitment to tackling drug-related crime and protecting our communities. Throughout this investigation we have been closely monitoring the activities of the ADAM line and thanks to our officer’s hard work and dedication we have been able to take two people out of the equation.

“Those involved within this illegal operation are dangerous individuals with no remorse for their criminality, they operate to exploit the most vulnerable in our societies and I’m proud to say that our team have been able to take more individuals like this from our communities to face justice for their actions.

“County lines drugs operations often have a life changing impact on the lives involved and those who are most vulnerable, and we will continue to move at pace to tackle those who are involved within those activities and protect our communities from this illegal activity.

“Our Challenger teams across Greater Manchester are committed to tackling county lines and we will act upon any concerns or information the community give to us to tackle serious and organised crime for good.”

If you are concerned about criminal activity within your area, you can report this to  police on 101 or by reporting via the online report tool: www.gmp.police.uk.