Oldham man was regional supplier of Manchester drugs ring

Craig Ganson was one of four men sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday (Thursday, June 13) for his role in the organised crime group.

The other three - Nathan Lobley, Thomas Bradley and Paul Taylor, also received jail sentences for their offending.

The court heard how the case was based around the importation and supply of multiple kilos of cocaine and heroin, as well as money laundering.

Evidence was initially gathered from encrypted mobile phone conversations between the members of the gang, who were all identified by their handles.

Craig Ganson purchased large amounts of drugs from suppliers (Image: GMP)

Ganson, of Fernhurst Street, Chadderton, who went by the handle "paperboard", was the wholesale regional supplier of cocaine and heroin.

Between April 2, 2020, and June 10, 2020, the 43-year-old purchased at least 11kg of cocaine and 2kg of heroin – valued at over £400,000 - from his suppliers.

As for his counterparts, Lobley, who went by "carrottoxic", took possession of at least 19 kilos of cocaine, which had a street value of between £684,000 and £798,000, and supplied it to third parties.

Police also discovered from conversations he was having with another encrypted handle that he had a firearm which he arranged to pass on to a third party.

The firearm recovered by police (Image: GMP)

He initially pleaded not guilty to this offence, but was later found guilty following trial.

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Bradley, known as "lovelyseal", was collecting cash from 20 other encrypted handles on an almost daily basis and collected approximately £2m a month and even collected £5.8m between March 16, 2020, and May 31, 2020.

Following a strike day by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) on March 22, 2022, Bradley went on the run but was arrested returning to the UK via Hollyhead on December 3 later that year.

His encrypted device was linked to all key nominals in the conspiracy and to all identified money laundering events.

Taylor, or "augeroooo", purchased a kilo of cocaine on April 21, 2020, for £37,000 and passed £80,390 to Bradley during the conspiracy period.

At Minshull Street Crown Court, each man received lengthy prison sentences for their actions.

Left to right: Nathan Lobley, Thomas Bradley and Paul Taylor (Image: GMP)

Ganson was jailed for seven years 10 months for conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Lobley, 38, of Asfield Drive, Newton Heath, received the lengthiest sentence of 14 years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and for supplying a firearm and ammunition.

Bradley, 33, of Mellalieu Street, Middleton, was sentenced to nine years for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and money laundering.

Taylor, 46, of Pargate Close, Rochdale, was jailed for five years and eight months for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and money laundering.

DC David Grimshaw of GMP's serious organised crime group task force, said: “We are pleased with the result, which has seen these men taken off the streets for a considerable period of time.

“Our investigation was a complex one and I would like to thank everyone who played a role. Not only have we taken four drug dealers off the streets of Manchester, we have also disrupted a supplier of firearms.

“Manchester communities should not have to live among drug dealers, and we are committed to ensuring that we identify, locate and remove these offenders. Organised crime can have an unprecedented effect on these communities, and it is vital that our work in this area continues.

“These men thought they were hiding behind an encrypted communication system that would mean identifying them would be difficult, but it wasn’t. They openly communicated through this system, which has led to them going straight to prison.

“We would urge anyone who has any information regarding drug dealing or other organised crimes taking place in their communities to come forward so we can get dangerous individuals off the street.”

Information can be passed on anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, via the Live Chat function on GMP's website, www.gmp.police.uk, or by dialling 101. Ring 999 in an emergency.