MEMBERS of a drugs gang with close associations with Tameside, including two of its bases, have been jailed for almost 70 years.
A flat on Welbeck Street South in Ashton-under-Lyne and a home of Baguley Street in Droylsden may have seemed from the outside as completely normal.
Inside, though, they were the scene of crystal meth production by the organised crime group headed by Hyde man James Mulligan that supplied drugs across the north west of England and North Wales.
James’ father and brother, Brian Mulligan Snr and Jnr, assisted with the ‘family business’ as others became involved.
But a series of raids in 2021 ended the operation and 11 members of the gang have been jailed at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court.
Greater Manchester Police told how they executed a warrant on Tuesday, September 21 that year at a flat on Welbeck St South in Ashton.
Despite Brian Jnr trying to flee into a neighbouring property of an elderly gentleman, he was detained by officers.
Brian Snr accepted his fate, choosing to remain in the apartment, while Tony McGoff, who was also present, tried to escape over a balcony.
The force said: “It became clear that the flat was not being lived in, rather it was used purely to produce controlled drugs on an industrial scale – capable of producing hundreds of kilos of amphetamine a month.
“In the living room, police found PPE clothing including full hazmat suits and protective gloves.
“In further rooms, police found vacuum packs containing a white substance, large plastic packing crates, and mixing bowls.
“There were also large drums containing chemicals used in the production of amphetamine. In total, police recovered around 50 kilos of amphetamine, and 50 litres of chemicals used in the production.”
Four days later, GMP switched its attention to Droylsden, where a ‘stash house’ operated by Sheila Mason – known as ‘grandma’ by James Mulligan – was uncovered.
Police added: “After a search of the property, police seized ammunition and drugs paraphernalia including packaging consistent with the wrapping of cocaine, electronic scales with residues of cocaine, caffeine, paracetamol and levamisole – a drug used to treat parasites in animal.”
When questioned, Ms Mason tried to convince police she did not know what ammunition was and was bewildered as to how it got in her shed.
When denying her involvement, she said: “Cross my heart and hope to die.”
During a period of surveillance between April and October 2021, police from Manchester, Merseyside and West Yorkshire made a number of arrests and seizures when the gang were caught couriering drugs, firearms, and cash across the country.
As GMP said: “Over time, the gang got too comfortable with their patterns and routines which ultimately led police to their doors.”
David Keenan and Damian Batty were second in command and would transport and collect the drugs, supplying them to Sibu Ngema, Richard Braisdell, and Michael Woodhouse, who would then sell the drugs to customers.
Lower down the chain, McGoff, Gary Holtham and Lee Hamlet-Corley would sell the drugs to customers.
Now after the final members, including Christopher Thornton, police have spoken of their success.
Specifically from Tameside, earlier this year, 30-year-old Mulligan, of Hillside Close, Hyde was jailed for 11 years and seven months after admitting conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and conspiracy to possess a firearm. He was found not guilty of conspiracy to possess ammunition.
Batty, 37 and of Crawford St, Ashton, was jailed for seven years after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and 72-year-old Mason, of Baguley Street, Droylsden, received a community order after pleading guilty to assisting an OCG.
On Friday, November 24, Brian Mulligan Snr, 54 and of Tree House Avenue, Ashton, and 22-year-old Thornton, of no fixed abode, were found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and jailed for four years and six months.
Holtham, 57 and of Inverness Road, Dukinfield, was found guilty of assisting the activities of an OCG and jailed for 18 months.
Detective Inspector Justin Bryant from GMP Serious Organised Crime Group said: “This was a really complex investigation which started with eight suspects, but soon developed into tracking thirteen members of an OCG, unveiling an extensive criminal network responsible for supplying large quantities of drugs and weapons, two trades that fuel intimidation and exploitation in Manchester and across the UK.
“This gang thought they were untouchable, they only cared about lining their pockets. The scale of drugs they were involved in will have undoubtedly contributed to serious violence and depravation in our communities.”
Nicky Moore, Senior Crown Prosecutor with CPS North West’s Complex Casework Unit, added: “Motivated purely by greed, these offenders were involved in a sophisticated criminal operation to produce and supply drugs across the north west and beyond.
“Working closely with the police, we are determined to dismantle major organised crime groups like this one.”