Trafford drugs gang jailed for combined total of more than 40 years
Police found the gang had potentially lethal weapons
A Trafford drugs gang has been jailed for a combined total of 42 years, after police dicovered they were in possession of grenades and guns.
37 year old Nathan Morgan, of Milton Close, was said to be an 'important' part of the conspiracy after officers recovered four grenades and three firearms, along with ammunition.
He was also involved in the supply of cocaine and heroin estimated to be worth between £50,000 and £100,000.
Police were able to put a stop to the group's activities after a series of raids in Stretford in January 2021.
DNA belonging to 45 year old Gareth Curtis, of Milton Close, was discovered on the granades and firearms recovered at an address linkted to 43 year old Sarah Tervet on Taylors Road.
Officers then targeted an address belonging to 50 year old Brian Day, also of Milton Close, finding two handguns and evidence of Class A drug dealing.
Morgan was sentenced to 21 years and three months at Manchester Crown Court, after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess an explosive substance with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon, conspiracy to possess ammunition, conspiracy to supply class A drugs, and possession with intent to supply and production of cannabis.
Curtis admitted conspiracy to possess an explosive substance with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon, conspiracy to possess ammunition. He'll spend 10 years and four months behind bars.
Tervet was given four years and eight months behind bars after admitting to conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon and conspiracy to possess ammunition.
Day, who also admitted his guilt, was jailed for sex years eight months for conspiracy to possess a prohibited weapon and conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
Detective Inspector Roger Smethurst, of Greater Manchester Police, said:
"Some of the weapons we recovered during the course of this investigation no doubt had the potential to be lethal and were certainly in the hands of an organised gang who were keen to do harm.
"We know that at the time of us conducting this operation there will have been concern in the local community in Stretford, but I hope the action we took back then - and being able to bring them to justice today - shows our commitment to ensuring those involved in the possession of such dangerous weapons are taken out of society and are put behind bars for their actions.
"Organised crime often operates out of sight but can have a very real impact in communities, and it is therefore vital that we continue to do all we can to take down these unscrupulous individuals.
"We always welcome intelligence from the public that helps us find these criminals and I urge anyone with suspicions or concerns about suspicious activity in their area to contact us or Crimestoppers so we can take action."