The discovery of bullets in a Salford supermarket car park has led to a drugs gang being jailed for a total of more than 34 years.
Four members of the organised crime group were caught after a member of the public reported finding the ammunition in the car park on Ftizwarren Street.
The ammunition had been dumped in the car park from a car which police had attempted to stop the night before on 26 September 2023.
CCTV footage showed the car had driven into the car park, smashing through a wall. A short time later the car was driven away by an Eccles man identified as Phillip Wakefield.
Four pistols, a sawn-off shotgun, ammunition and a silencer were recovered from premises linked to Wakefield.
Mobile phones, weapons and drugs were recovered from other properties linked to the ring.
Seized mobile phones enabled detectives to establish the hierarchy of the Salford drugs gang and identify all those involved.
The phones revealed conversations between the group, organising firearms collections, the running of drugs lines dealing in cocaine and heroin and discussing the cash they have from the sale of drugs.
Phillip Wakefield, 49, of Cromwell Road, Eccles, was sentenced to eight years and nine months for conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition and possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin.
Adrian Nagenda, 22, of Liverpool Road, Irlam, was sentenced to 11 years and 10 months for conspiracy to possess firearms, possession with intent to supply class A drugs, and conspiracy to commit robbery.
Joshua Gallier, 23, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 10 years 10 months for conspiracy to supply class A drugs, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.
Laura Taylor, 27, of Philip Street, Eccles, had been sentenced on March 25 for two years and eight months for conspiracy to supply class A drugs and possession of a firearm.
Detective Inspector Rebecca McGuigan, of Salford Challenger Team, said: “These sentences are excellent results as we have managed to remove several dangerous weapons and offenders off the streets.
“I hope this result shows that we remain committed to pursuing people who think they are above the law and believe they can evade justice.
“What started as an initial attempt to stop a vehicle resulted in us uncovering an organised crime group who had several dangerous weapons, drugs and cash from their criminal activities.
“Our Challenger teams across Greater Manchester are committed to tackling county lines and we will act upon any concerns or information the community give to us to tackle serious and organised crime for good.”
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