A MAN from Walkden is among the final swathe of criminals convicted following a three-year covert investigation into Salford’s organised crime underworld.

Stephen Martin Worthington is one of seven men who have been sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to a total of 35 years in prison, having pleaded guilty at previous hearings.

The sentences follow an intelligence-led police operation carried out between February 2012 and March 2015.

In total, 24 people were charged, resulting in convictions for 78 offences.

The first part of the sentencing took place earlier this month, when 11 men and two women were sentenced.

The overall operation has resulted in convictions for a variety of gun and drug crimes.

The men sentenced this week were involved in crimes including the sale of guns, the possession and supply of Class A drugs, and the supply of a press used for the manufacture of drugs.

Worthington, aged 29, of Worsley Road, was sentenced to three years in prison for supplying cocaine, supplying a drugs press, and possessing heroin, cannabis and intent to supply cannabis.

The offences date between September 29, 2013 and September 9, 2015. 

GMP Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: “This week’s sentences bring to an end an operation that started in early 2012.

“After an immense amount of dedicated work, 20 criminals who were involved in organised crime in Salford are now serving substantial time in jail.

“That represents a significant number of people who are no longer free to fuel the criminal underworld they operated in.

“Seven guns and a large amount of Class A and B drugs have been taken off the streets of Salford; seizures that will directly stop countless further criminal acts taking place.

“The sentences send a clear message about how robustly we will deal with organised crime. We will continue to work tirelessly to bring others involved in these illegal activities to justice.

“As a result of this operation and the substantial sentences given by the judge, people in Greater Manchester are undoubtedly safer.”

Foremost among this second swathe of defendants was Lee Worthington.

He was convicted of two counts of selling guns and several counts of selling the Class A drugs cocaine and MDMA, and the Class A cutting agent benzocaine and sentenced to ten years in prison.

All of the arrests were made on September 9 last year at the culmination of Operation Damson.

Also sentenced were Sean McDonagh, aged 47, of Chislehurst Street, Manchester; Garry Meadowcroft, aged 27, of Brynorme Road, Manchester; and Lewis Pennington, aged 23, of Helensville Avenue, Salford; and Darren Worthington, aged 51, of Gerald Road, Salford.

Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle, territorial commander of GMP’s Salford borough, added: “These criminals supplied guns and drugs in the Salford community with complete disregard for the harm their actions would cause others.

“The scale of the sentences handed down reflects the seriousness of their actions and highlights how robustly we will deal with organised crime.

“This operation has been driven by the hard work and dedication of officers who have disrupted a significant criminal network who thought they were untouchable."