Manchester Crown Court Sentencing Results

Wembadive Onokoko, 21, was stopped by Border Force officers at Manchester Airport after arriving on a flight from Thailand via Doha on May 27. He attempted to pass through the 'nothing to declare' lane with a suitcase containing 15 kilos of cannabis in 25 vacuum-sealed packages. He initially denied knowledge of the drugs, claiming he only brought clothes, and asked if the process would take long as he had six hours. He was arrested and interviewed at Ashton police station.

Dylan Nelson, employed as cleaning staff on Aer Lingus aircraft at Manchester Airport, stole products such as alcohol and cigarettes from planes flying to New York. The thefts happened between July 29 and August 4, 2023, captured on covert cameras showing him assisting in breaking seals and discussing the stolen items.

Mark Hicks, a cleaning staff member subcontracted to Aer Lingus planes at Manchester Airport, stole alcohol, cigarettes, and other products from aircraft flying to New York. The thefts happened between July 29 and August 4, 2023, with footage capturing him in discussions and actions to access secured items.

Jonathan Etchells, a cleaning staff member subcontracted to Aer Lingus aircraft at Manchester Airport, stole items including alcohol, cigarettes, and perfumes from planes operating between Manchester and New York. The incidents took place between July 29 and August 4, 2023, amid significant stock losses, with footage showing him breaking security seals and joking about the thefts as part of a group effort.

Katie Moran, a subcontracted cleaning staff member on Aer Lingus planes at Manchester Airport, stole alcohol, cigarettes, and perfumes from aircraft flying between Manchester and New York. The thefts took place between July 29 and August 4, 2023, with cameras recording her searching containers and discussing the stolen goods with colleagues.

Richard Armer, a cleaning staff member for a subcontracted company on Aer Lingus planes at Manchester Airport, stole items including Pringles by using tools to break security seals. The thefts occurred between July 29 and August 4, 2023, as part of broader stock losses from aircraft flying between Manchester and New York, with video evidence showing his active role.

Roman Mahmood, working as cleaning staff on Aer Lingus aircraft at Manchester Airport, stole items including alcohol and cigarettes from planes operating between Manchester and New York. The thefts took place between July 29 and August 4, 2023, as part of a pattern captured on secret cameras.

Shawn Bailey, a subcontracted cleaning staff member on Aer Lingus planes at Manchester Airport, stole alcohol, cigarettes, and other items from aircraft to New York. The events occurred between July 29 and August 4, 2023, with covert recordings showing him investigating containers and participating in the thefts.

Ciaran Lynch, employed as cleaning staff for Aer Lingus aircraft at Manchester Airport, stole items such as alcohol and cigarettes from planes to New York. The incidents occurred between July 29 and August 4, 2023, as evidenced by covert cameras showing him breaking into storage and participating in group thefts.

Connor Brooks, a cleaning staff member subcontracted to work on Aer Lingus aircraft at Manchester Airport, stole items such as alcohol, cigarettes, and Pringles from planes flying between Manchester and New York. The thefts occurred between July 29 and August 4, 2023, as part of a larger pattern of stock loss valued at €1,290.10 during that period, with covert cameras capturing him breaking seals and discussing previous thefts.

Usman Ghani, working as cleaning staff on Aer Lingus aircraft at Manchester Airport, participated in stealing alcohol, cigarettes, and other items from planes to New York. The events unfolded between July 29 and August 4, 2023, with covert footage capturing him in discussions and actions to access secured containers.

Louisa De Marco, a 53-year-old former Asda manager and mother from Broadway, Bradford, was involved in a scheme to smuggle 31.25 kilos of cannabis into the UK. She had her flights to Thailand paid for by others and was promised £10,000 for successful smuggling. On May 8, she was stopped by Border Force officers at Manchester Airport upon arrival from Thailand via Abu Dhabi. She denied ownership of two suitcases containing the drugs and claimed they held tobacco. During police interview, she admitted meeting someone in Thailand who offered her money to bring cannabis into the UK and refused to provide her phone's PIN. She was assessed as unfit to work due to physical and mental health issues and was receiving benefits at the time.

Kane O'Keefe, 31, of Minto Street, Ashton-Under-Lyne, was a member of Gregory Bell's organised criminal group involved in supplying Class A and B controlled drugs and money laundering. The gang operated as a wholesaler distributing vast quantities of drugs across the UK using encrypted communications and safe houses.

David Waterhouse, operating under the EncroChat handle 'Golden Lad', was involved in a major cocaine trafficking and money laundering operation. He was evidenced to have supplied 224kg of cocaine and laundered more than a million pounds. He was arrested on February 21 at his home in Steps Meadow, Smallbridge, Rochdale, where officers recovered drug paraphernalia including scales and bags. This operation was uncovered through Operation Venetic, targeting criminals using the EncroChat service.

Matthew Brierley was involved in the supply of 7kg of cocaine and the laundering of £61,500 between May 5, 2020, and June 12, 2020. He supported David Waterhouse in a major cocaine trafficking and money laundering operation, with his role revealed through EncroChat messages. He was arrested on February 21 at Waterhouse's home address.

Edward Rainford, along with Jay Boyd, operated a boutique cannabis supply network between November 2022 and September 2023. They used mobile phones to discuss and arrange the supply of various cannabis strains, such as Oreo Cookie, Orange Cream, and Wedding Cake. Evidence included chat logs, images of money, and videos of cannabis strains. Police investigations involved surveillance and searches, revealing their roles in buying and selling cannabis on a commercial scale, with meetings and financial discussions observed in public places like a Costa Coffee in Monton, Salford.

Jay Boyd, along with Edward Rainford, participated in a boutique cannabis supply operation between November 2022 and September 2023. They communicated via mobile phones about supplying different cannabis strains, arranged meetings, and handled cash and small quantities of the drug. Police evidence included fingerprints at a searched property on Grasmere Road, Swinton, and items like a list of debtors and packaging materials. Boyd was observed driving near the property and his phone was disconnected shortly after police activity.

Eddie Rainford was involved in a major drug-dealing operation, supplying large quantities of cannabis between November 11, 2022, and September 28, 2023, alongside another individual. He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing, and despite attempts by his partner to keep his identity private, he was sentenced following a court adjournment.

Jacob Flavin, operating under the alias 'Albus Dumbledore', was a substantial player in a gang supplying wholesale amounts of cannabis. He used encrypted messaging to advertise and sell drugs, including varieties like 'Tropical', 'Gelato' and 'Banana', with prices up to £3,100 per kilo. He was caught on camera collecting cannabis in an Aldi bag and had items seized from his flat, including a Rolex watch and drugs. Over seven weeks in late 2023, the gang supplied around 180kg of cannabis, and he was linked to 3.5kg of cocaine, 2.5kg of heroin and 5kg of ketamine as part of Operation Global.

Jordan Brook, 31, from Eccles, Salford, arrived at Manchester Airport on a flight from Bangkok via Bahrain on April 17, 2025. He was stopped by Border Force officers and admitted to carrying cannabis. Searches revealed 40.5 kilograms of cannabis, valued at £121,000, in two suitcases bearing his name. He claimed he was pressured into the act but did not meet the threshold for duress. Brook is a father-of-two and has struggled with social anxiety while on remand.

Husnain Ali was part of a gang supplying huge quantities of heroin and cocaine across the country using EncroChat. He acted as the accountant, handling money packaging and storage. He was arrested on July 28, 2020, during a police stop on the M61, where he was a passenger in a car with a secret compartment containing drugs.

Mohammed Omayr, using EncroChat handles, supplied huge quantities of heroin and cocaine across the country. He directed couriers to move drugs and money, hiding them in secret car compartments. Police seized nearly £25,000 in cash, designer clothing, a watch, and a black Lamborghini Urus worth over £200,000 from his home in Chorlton. He was arrested on July 28, 2020, after an investigation into the gang's activities.

Abdul Bahadir was involved in supplying huge quantities of heroin and cocaine, acting as a courier to deliver drugs and move money across the country, hiding them in a secret car compartment. He was stopped by police on the M61 on July 28, 2020, where cocaine, mixing agents, and digital scales were found. At his home in Oldham, police recovered over £157,000 in cash, a vacuum packing machine, digital scales, and luxury designer clothing.

Chelsea Blanton, 29, from Texas, travelled from Saudi Arabia to Malaysia and then to Manchester via Heathrow. She was stopped by Border Force officers on May 7, 2025, at Manchester Airport with 28 kilos of cannabis hidden in 15 vacuum-sealed packages across her two suitcases, with a wholesale value of £80,000. She made a false claim about her visit initially but later admitted the offence, stating she did it for a payment of $8,500 to address her financial difficulties. She expressed remorse and highlighted her history of trauma, including the violent death of her father and past domestic violence. She has a 12-year-old child and a good work ethic, having worked two jobs to support her family.

Usman Alam was involved in the supply of wholesale amounts of cocaine and cannabis over a four-year period from 2018 to 2022, as evidenced by text messages on three mobile phones found during a raid on his home on January 5, 2022. The phones revealed his involvement in drug production across England and street-level dealing in Greater Manchester. His bank account received £370,216 with no legitimate income. Additionally, in 2024, he assaulted a dealer working for him by headbutting and striking him with a knife handle, causing cuts, after accusing him of stealing cannabis. He also made threats to shoot and bomb the victim's relatives.

Moyed Mustafa attempted to evade police on foot after his car was stopped in January 2023. He was found in possession of MDMA, cocaine, and heroin. A search of his home on Thorncombe Road, Whalley Range, uncovered large amounts of these drugs. Further investigation revealed his involvement in a conspiracy to supply cannabis to prisoners.