Weapons and a large amounts of class A drugs were found at a number of addresses - including in Heywood - as part of a county line gang operation running between London and Manchester.

Drugs such as heroin and cocaine were discovered at properties on Promenade Street in Heywood as well as Angel Gardens in Manchester in a total of three police raids.

A Rambo knife and an imitation firearm were also found at one of the properties, police said.

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police in London and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) teamed up on an operation in which they found five men were involved in a county line drug dealing gang running between the capital city and Manchester since January 1, 2021. 

Analysis of mobile phone data found that those in the gang contacted their customers by sending bulk messages advertising drugs for sale.

In November 2021, officers from GMP’s Tactical Vehicle Intervention Unit stopped a Honda Civic in a retail park.

The driver of the vehicle, Emmanuel Yamoah, 28, was consequently arrested after being identified as one of the drug line holders.

After the three raids, four men were arrested on November 9, 2021 at a property at Angel Gardens.

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Nathaniel Ofori, of Tiverton Road, London, was charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin.

After pleading guilty, the 23-year-old was sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment on December 6, 2022.

Donell Shyngle, of Seven Sisters Road, London, was charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin.

The 24-year-old admitted the crime and was jailed for five years and three months on the same date.

Moses Aibamwen, 28, of Avenue Road, Erith, Kent, was charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin.

He was put behind bars for four years and 10 months on December 6 last year too after pleading guilty.

Yamoah, of Gloucester Road, London, was charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin.

He was sentenced to four years and one month imprisonment on the same date after pleading guilty.

And Rojhat El-Sindi, 26 of Foyle Road, London, was charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin.

He was sentenced to three years and four months’ imprisonment on Wednesday, January 18 after pleading guilty.

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Investigating officer PC Nick Stylianou said: “Our coordinated response with colleagues from GMP has illustrated the great results we can achieve, when we work collaboratively with our partner forces.

“This proactive operation identified that the group were dealing Class A drugs over an 11-month period, living lavish lifestyles, funded by criminality.

“The extensive work involved in the case, we hope, demonstrates our commitment to tackling this crime, which is heavily linked to exploitation and serious violence leading to untold misery.

“We are pleased with the sentences passed by the courts, and hope it acts as a deterrent to those who partake in this type of reckless behaviour.

“Those involved will face the full force of the law.”

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Detective Inspector Roger Smethurst, of GMP's Serious Organised Crime Group, added: “No matter how coordinated you think your criminal enterprise is, police forces are actively collaborating and sharing intelligence.

“We will dismantle your organisation and bring you to justice.

“We know that when we seize these items or put people behind bars, that we can’t stop there.

“These people are profiting from some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and we will continue to pursue every level of criminality involved in the distribution of drugs.”

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