Family drug gang who distributed cocaine from garden shed in Heywood jailed

A family-run drugs gang from Heywood who used a garden shed to package cocaine has been sentenced today, Friday (8 March).

Anthony Cooney, 39, of Rochdale Road East, Heywood, enlisted the help of his uncle, John Lingard, 60,  of Lochinver Grove, Heywood, to run the enterprise.

The duo were joined by Samantha Farrelly, 40, of Chadwick Lane, Heywood, who allowed her former address on Millbank Street, Heywood, to be used by Cooney as a cannabis farm.

At Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court they were sentenced to a total of eight years in prison.

Cooney was sentenced to four years six months after pleading guilty to production of cannabis, possession of cannabis, supplying of cocaine and money laundering.

Lingard was sentenced to three years after pleading guilty to supplying cocaine, possession with intent to supply cocaine and possessing a shotgun without a certificate.

Farrelly was sentenced to six months in prison suspended for one year and 100 hours community order after pleading guilty to permitting the production of cannabis on a premises.

Following covert surveillance work, Farrelly’s was one of three domestic properties across Heywood raided in July 2017 as part of Operation Arkansas – a GMP investigation into the supply of cocaine and production and supply of cannabis on a commercial scale in the Heywood area.

A cannabis farm comprising 27 plants was found at the property on Millbank Street, worth an estimated £13,900.

During the raid at Cooney’s home address on Rochdale Road East, officers seized just under £7,000 in cash and cannabis with a street value of £13,500. At a property rented by him on Buckley Street, officers found a cannabis farm with 36 cannabis plants inside, worth an estimated £18,500.

In November 2017, a further warrant was executed at Lingard’s address on Lochinver Grove, where officers found that the garden shed at the rear of the property had been vital to the enterprise, containing all the paraphernalia needed to package the drug for sale.

At this property, officers also recovered a single-barrelled 12-guage hammer shotgun.

In December, a further warrant was executed at a rental storage company in Rochdale, where Cooney had rented a 20ft shipping container. Inside, was a large amount of items that could be used in the cultivation of drugs.

The following items were seized:

• 16 tents
• 397 plant pots
• 25 lighters
• Nine filters
• Three water tanks
• Two fertilisers
• Three carbon dioxide canisters
• Eight fans
• Two compost bags
• 13 power packs
• Four power banks
• Two water pumps
• Two chiller units

Detective Constable Damian Reed said: “This gang were producing cannabis and selling cannabis and cocaine on a commercial scale.

“But while their operation was large, it was also amateurish. In a quiet, residential street they made the bizarre decision to set up a key part of their drugs supply in a garden shed.

“The content of Cooney’s lockup also left little to the imagination – containing a vast amount of equipment that could be used in drugs supply.

“Thanks to the dedication and professionalism of our officers, we have been able to observe the conspiracy and dismantle their operation – taking a significant quantity of drugs off the street.

“We also recovered a large amount of cash – the ill-gotten gains of the enterprise which would doubtless have been used to facilitate more illegality.

“Drugs ruin lives and blight communities and we will do everything in our power to apprehend drug dealers and bring them to justice.

“To help us do this, we need the support of local communities. If you suspect drugs cultivation and supply is happening where you live – call the police on 101.”