Case Details
Case Overview
This case concerned a drug supply investigation by Greater Manchester Police into a Class A drug line selling heroin and crack cocaine. The defendant was alleged to have run the line, evidenced by extensive telecommunications data showing 14,000 calls and 4,500 SMS messages received, with the line itself making over 7,000 calls and sending over 29,000 SMS messages. He pleaded guilty on the basis that he operated at street level under instruction from others. The case is awaiting sentence at Manchester Crown Square Crown Court.
Situation
Greater Manchester Police identified a drug line supplying Class A drugs (heroin and crack cocaine). The prosecution case relied on telecommunications evidence demonstrating the operation's scale. The phone line received 14,000 calls and 4,500 SMS messages, whilst the line itself made over 7,000 calls and sent over 29,000 SMS messages advertising drugs. An algorithmic assessment indicated 2,642kg of drugs were traded via the line.
The defendant was alleged to have run this operation. However, he admitted involvement on a limited basis, accepting that he was engaged in street-level supply but acting under instruction from those higher in the supply chain. He also accepted that approximately £20,000 in cash represented proceeds of drug supply.
Charges
The defendant pleaded guilty to three counts:
- Being Concerned in Supplying a Controlled Drug of Class A to Another (Heroin)
- Being Concerned in Supplying a Controlled Drug of Class A to Another (Crack Cocaine)
- Acquiring, Using, or Possessing Criminal Property (Cash)
His plea was entered on the basis of a limited, street-level role acting under instruction from others.
Our Approach
The legal team, led by solicitor Fosia Jury, represented the defendant throughout the proceedings. The team conducted a detailed analysis of the Greater Manchester Police evidence, including telecommunications data and the algorithmic drug quantity assessment. Following legal advice on his position, the defendant entered a guilty plea on a limited factual basis.
The defence negotiated this basis of plea, confirming a street-level role and that the defendant was acting under instruction. Mr Kurupath Sathyanath Sreekumar of 9 Lincoln's Court Chambers was instructed to prepare mitigation submissions ahead of the sentencing hearing.
Outcome
The defendant has pleaded guilty to all three charges on the basis of street-level involvement under instruction. He admitted that approximately £20,000 of cash seized was criminal property. The case is currently awaiting sentence at Manchester Crown Square Crown Court.
