Couple jailed for £70k conspiracy to flood Bolton with drugs

Michael Hassan, aged 28, of Claypool Road, Horwich, is already serving a prison sentence after he was caught trying to flush drugs he was selling down an addict’s toilet during a police raid in Bolton.

But at Manchester Crown Court he was sentenced to a further six years and eight months in prison after admitting possession with intent to supply more drugs and conspiracy to conceal criminal property and his partner Umi Noor, aged 37, of St Bees Close, Manchester, was jailed for four years and one month after pleading guilty to the same offences.

On November 22, 2019 police found a large quantity of drugs at Noor's home along with drug dealing paraphernalia.

In a bedroom wardrobe a tin containing a large number of heroin wraps, valued at around £43,000 was found, along with white rocks which tested positive for crack cocaine. Together the drugs were valued at £73,000.

Elsewhere in the property officers found JD Sports and Foot Asylum bags containing freezer bags, electronic scales, a spoon with brown powder and a brush.

Hassan, Noor and drugs found at her home

When questioned, Noor tried to cover for Hassan, claiming that her boyfriend called 'Rico' had left the drugs in her home, and that she had no knowledge of them.

However after her phone was examined, Hassan was identified through pictures of them together, along with messages that proved the pair had been operating a Class A drug supply business in Bolton.

It was also showed that Noor was hiring cars on behalf of Hassan for him to use to distribute the drugs.

The intelligence that led to the warrant was gathered as part of Operation Apostle, which targets organised crime and the distribution of drugs in Manchester City Centre.

READ MORE: Hassan tried to flush drugs down toilet

Speaking after the sentencing PC Sam Schofield, from the City of Manchester's Intelligence Development Unit, said: "This is a fantastic example of the importance of gathering intelligence, that can be used to intervene and tackle organised crime.

"Not only were we able to remove a significant quantity of drugs from the streets of Greater Manchester, which could have ruined lives, but hopefully this hammers home the message that we are committed to ensuring the communities we serve are kept safe, and that the risk of harm is reduced.

"A lot of unseen work has gone went into bringing Hassan and Noor to justice, and officers often rely on the intelligence and information received from members of the public.

"I would encourage anyone with any information or concerns to contact the police, whether in person, by telephone on 0161 856 4428, online www.gmp.police.uk or anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. If you say something, we'll be able to do something about it."