Men jailed for 35 years for running major drug operation in Rochdale

Two men have been jailed for a combined total of 35 years for running a drug line based in the Rochdale area, involving crack cocaine and heroin.

Laraib Irshad, 28, of Surma Close, Rochdale pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin, possession with intent to supply crack cocaine, possession of heroin, and conspiracy to supply cocaine and was jailed for a total of 22 years nine months.

Tariq Muneeb, 32, also of Surma Close, Rochdale, was found guilty of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply cocaine. He has been jailed for a total of 12 years.

These convictions arise from an operation that targeted the members of the Adam Organised Crime Group (OCG) who remained criminally active in drug supply following the televised investigation covered in ‘The Detectives’.

The operation yielded extensive intelligence and evidence against those associated with the Adam Line which led officers to execute a search warrant in the early hours of Thursday 24 April 2023 at an address on Millfield Grove, Rochdale.

GMP's County Lines team forced entry to an address, where Irshad and Muneeb were found inside manufacturing large amounts of crack cocaine.

In their panic, they attempted to flush the crack cocaine down the toilet of the address which was recovered by officers.

 

 

Also present in the address was a female occupier who 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.

Irshad and Muneeb were charged in April and were remanded into custody to await trial. Irshad pleaded guilty to all counts, but Muneeb insisted he was not guilty, and a three-day trial commenced.

Muneeb was subsequently found guilty and both were remanded to await sentencing.

At the time of their arrest, both Irshad and Muneeb 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.

DI Zoe MacDonald of GMP County Lines Team stated: "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 gives 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 us directly on 101 or by reporting information using our online report tool at www.gmp.police.uk.

You can also report information anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.