Three Brothers jailed after Gun Haul and Drugs were Found

Three brothers, all of Cheetham Hill, Manchester, were jailed on Thursday, December 13, 2018, at Manchester Crown Court for possessing several guns, ammunition and drugs.

It was heard that Safeer Ali, aged 36, Khateer Ali, aged 35, and Qabeer Ali, aged 32, were arrested in September 2017.

A fourth man, Michael Davis, aged 52, of no fixed address, is also wanted by police for his role in the crime, but he is believed to have fled the UK shortly after his arrest.

A police spokesman said:

“Michael Davis, 52, of no fixed address but who previously lived in Rochdale, is wanted in connection with conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition and the supply of Class A drugs, but is believed to have fled overseas after his arrest.”

The Court heard that officers from Challenger Manchester and UK Visas and Immigration issued a warrant to search a flat in Blackley, Manchester.

At the flat, which was being used as a safe house by the brothers, officers found a stash of Class A drugs, with a street value of approximately £38,000 hidden in a bed.

In addition, police found a holdall full of ammunition and seven guns, including an assault rifle. All seven of the firearms were seized and forensically tested.

It was revealed that the guns were linked to a number of shootings in Greater Manchester. One of the guns was used in an incident in Levenshulme during December 2015 where a shot was fired at a house.

Greater Manchester Police said the gun was so powerful that the bullet penetrated a wall of the house and travelled straight through to the other side.

Fortunately, no one was injured. It was reported that the gunman had targeted the wrong address.

The Ali brothers pleaded guilty to all the charges they faced. Safeer Ali was jailed for nine and a half years for conspiracy to possess a firearm and ammunition. Qabeer Ali was jailed for six years and Khateer Ali was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for supplying Class A drugs.

After their sentencing, Detective Constable Robert Ashurst said the Ali brothers “posed a significant threat”.

He said:

“This was an extremely complex investigation with many intricate layers that took officers countless hours to examine.”

“Thankfully, we’ve been able to bring a stop to the Ali brothers who posed a significant risk to the north Manchester community, in particular, Cheetham Hill.”

DC Ashurst also said detectives believed the guns were being controlled by other organised crime groups.

He added:

“Not only are they now behind bars but we have also taken seven guns off the street, which we believe were being controlled by other organised crime groups.

“Without the support from our dedicated partners and the local community, we may not have been able to see them all jailed today so my thanks goes to them.

“Their support is vital to prevent and disrupt organised crime.”