Manchester’s Industrial Level Crime Plot Crumbles Under Police Pressure
A major drug gang from Manchester has been dismantled, leading to lengthy prison sentences for its members
Ellesmere Port, Manchester, Cheshire, Cannabis, Drug Gang
Ellesmere Port: A crime gang operating at an industrial level has been taken down by Cheshire Police. Sixteen men are now facing over 80 years in total behind bars.
The gang was involved in a large-scale cannabis supply operation, mainly sourcing their drugs from Manchester and Liverpool. They distributed the cannabis in Ellesmere Port and Chester from April 2023 to March 2024.
Cheshire Police’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit led the investigation, dubbed Operation Heracles. They discovered that the gang was storing significant amounts of cannabis and cash in various storage units at Indigo Business Park.
During a raid on November 12, 2023, police found nearly £11,000 in cash and cannabis worth around £59,000. This led to further raids on March 6, 2024, involving over 250 officers targeting gang members’ homes.
Out of the 16 arrested, 13 were charged, and the total cash seized during the investigation reached over £29,552, with cannabis valued at nearly £98,000 taken off the streets.
From January 13 to January 15, 2025, the gang members were sentenced at Chester Crown Court. Some of the key players received hefty sentences for their roles in the conspiracy.
Detectives noted that several members, including Kyle Phillips and Joshua Burns, were heavily involved in the operation, coordinating the supply and distribution of cannabis.
After the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Nick Henderson expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the police’s commitment to tackling organized crime and drug offenses in Cheshire.