“These men were engaged in a well-organised criminal enterprise"
Members of a UK gang received prison sentences totalling 44 years after a cocaine and cannabis factory was discovered on a south Manchester street.
During raids, police seized guns, ammunition and approximately £16,000 in cash.
Following a surveillance operation, the five men were arrested and subsequently jailed.
The men used properties across south Manchester to conceal their criminal assets, which included three revolvers, a deactivated Glock and live ammunition.
In December 2018, Adil Choudhry and Haider Ali were seen entering properties on Wilbraham Road and Northumberland Crescent several times.
Choudhry was “known to police as a long-standing member of an organised crime group”.
On February 13, 2019, detectives spotted Mohsin Choudhry entering the Wilbraham Road property.
CCTV footage showed Amaar Zulfiqar and Hazara Singh using a key to let themselves into the same property more than 30 times that month.
Search warrants were executed at properties on Green Walk, Wilbraham Road, Northumberland Crescent and Belbeck Street on February 28.
Police discovered a drugs factory on Wilbraham Road that was operated by the UK gang. One kilogram of skunk cannabis was found packaged in clear food bags. Officers also found 250 grams of cocaine.
The Glock and two revolvers were discovered as well as scales and mixing agents.
Ali was found at his home on Green Walk and was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A and class B drugs.
When officers asked if there was anything that could cause harm, Ali pointed to his bedroom. Inside, officers found a Smith and Weston revolver pistol containing three live rounds of ammunition.
Around £6,000 in cash was also recovered from the cellar.
Adil was arrested at his home in Bury on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A and class B drugs, possession of firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life.
Inside his home, officers found the key that was used to enter the Wilbraham Road property.
On February 29, Ali and Adil were charged with possession of firearms with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to supply class A and class B drugs.
Adil was also charged with money laundering.
On June 4, Mohsin and Zulfiqar were both arrested at their homes following searches, they were also charged.
Manchester Evening News reported that Singh was arrested and later charged on June 25.
Inspector Tony Norman said: “These men were engaged in a well-organised criminal enterprise which posed a significant threat to the people in Greater Manchester.
“Thanks to the relentless work of our police officers these men are facing long jail sentences and their continued distribution of drugs and criminal use of firearms on our streets, has been stalled.
“I hope today’s sentencing serves as an example to those involved in organised crime that we will pursue them.
“And makes clear what the consequences are for anybody who chooses a life of violence and drug dealing.”
On December 13, 2019, at Manchester Crown Court, Haider Ali, aged 25, of Whalley Range, was jailed for 14 years.
Adil Choudhry, aged 25, of Bury, was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
Hazara Singh, aged 22, of Old Trafford, was jailed for four years.
Amaar Zulfiqar, aged 23, of Stretford, received eight years in prison.
Mohsin Choudhry, aged 24, of Stretford, was sentenced to four years in prison.
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