A Timperley resident has been jailed as part of a major police crackdown on drug dealing in Manchester city centre that has resulted in prison sentences totalling more than 85 years.
Sait Jobe, 34, of Clover Road, Timperley, was sentenced to three years and four months in prison and issued with a five-year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) banning him from entering Piccadilly Gardens and surrounding areas upon release.
Jobe was among 24 individuals arrested following a sophisticated covert operation by Greater Manchester Police's Operation Vulcan team, supported by specialists from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit.
The four-month undercover operation, launched in November 2023, targeted several drug dealing networks operating across Piccadilly Gardens and North Manchester, culminating in coordinated raids on Tuesday, May 14th.
Over 300 officers executed 23 warrants at addresses across Greater Manchester, with police seizing substantial quantities of crack cocaine, cash, debtors' lists, and drug paraphernalia including digital weighing scales and multiple mobile phones.
One dramatic arrest involved Martin Joyce, who attempted to flee in his dressing gown but was tracked down and apprehended in a nearby park.
Joyce, who investigators identified as being at the top of one drug conspiracy along with his brother, was later sentenced to seven years in prison.
Drone footage of Martin Joyce being apprehended in his dressing gown
The operation also focused on an area known as Back Piccadilly, which had become notorious for drug dealing due to its secluded nature. Another targeted location was Ardwick Green Park, a children's playground and key walking route that had been exploited by criminal gangs for drug sales.
Police utilized phone data and cell site analysis to identify the dealer networks, uncovering hundreds of incriminating messages related to drug sales.
Investigators found evidence that some groups were exploiting teenagers to sell drugs on their behalf, with police subsequently working with Youth Offending Teams and local schools to provide support rather than criminalizing these young people.
Detective Sergeant Matt Donnelly, who led the undercover operation, said: "From day one, we said we would do whatever it takes to drive out crime from Piccadilly Gardens, and this operation shows just that."
Footage from the operation by Greater Manchester Police's Operation Vulcan team
"This was a well-resourced and high stakes investigation to tackle the drugs trade in Piccadilly Gardens and the surrounding areas which was causing a nuisance to local businesses, residents, and those visiting our city."
Following the successful operation, police have increased their regular patrols in the area to prevent other criminals from filling the void left by those now serving prison sentences.
Many of those convicted received Criminal Behaviour Orders in addition to their jail terms, meaning they will be arrested if found in Piccadilly Gardens and surrounding areas following their release.
Full list of those sentenced:
- Henry Solanke, 28, of no fixed abode: Jailed for two years and six months.
- Demitrius Wright, 35, of Jennings Avenue, Salford: Jailed for two years and eight months. Issued with a five-year CBO.
- Ahmed Benny-Bah, 34: Jailed for three years and four months. Issued with a five-year CBO.
- Sait Jobe, 34, of Clover Road, Timperley: Jailed for three years and four months. Issued with a five-year CBO.
- Darren Scholes, 45, of Alkrington Court: Jailed for four years and six months. Issued with a five-year CBO.
- Sanni Younouss, 22, of The Quadrant, Tameside: Jailed for three years and four months. Issued with a seven-year CBO.
- Ryan Chadwick, 29, of Ridgewood Avenue, Manchester: Jailed for five years. Issued with a five-year CBO.
- Julius Cole, 19, of no fixed abode: Jailed for three years. Issued with a five-year CBO.
- Abidaladif Mohamed, 26, of Keswick Grove, Salford: Jailed for two years and six months.
- Abdoulie Conteh, 28, of Broad Street, Salford: Jailed for four years. Issued with a five-year CBO.
- Tolga Turkozu, 26, of no fixed abode: Received a two-year suspended sentence and 200 hours of community service.
- Mohammed Omar, 24, of Greengate, Salford: Jailed for two years and eight months. £12,000 of criminal cash forfeited.
- Ashley Connors, 21, of Dean Street, Failsworth: Jailed for two years and six months. Issued with a five-year CBO.
- Ibrahem Ibrahem, 17, of Fairbourne Road, Manchester: Jailed for three years. Issued with a four-year CBO.
- Diane Stone, 57, of Laindon Road, Manchester: Jailed for one year and four months.
- Francisco De Jesus, 44, of no fixed abode: Jailed for one year and four months.
- Dean Graham, 29, of no fixed abode: Given a two-year community order.
- Martin Joyce, 25, of Basechurch Walk, Gorton: Jailed for seven years.
- Dougie Joyce, 24, of Reabrook Avenue, Manchester: Jailed for five years and six months.
- Mark Togher, 37, of Elizabeth Street, Denton: Jailed for three years and five months.
- Thomas Hulme, 19, of Trowtree Avenue, Manchester: Three years and three months in youth offending institution.
- Nahom Haileselassie, 31, of no fixed abode: Jailed for two years and nine months. Issued with a five-year CBO.
- Ahmed Elgamodi, 29, of no fixed abode: Jailed for seven years and two months.
