Operation Montoir Convictions

11 people, part of an organised crime groups responsible for supplying Class A drugs across Salford and Manchester, have been jailed for nearly 80 years.

Principal leader of the gangs, Christopher Zammit (19/05/1983) of Coronation Street, Swinton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine at an earlier hearing.

On 1 October 2013, a drugs warrant was executed at a home on Redcar Lane, Pendlebury where the garage was used by James Miller and Niki Dunn. The garage was forced open and inside, officers recovered cocaine and adulterants with the estimated street value of £239,000 and cannabis worth around £21,400, drugs paraphernalia was also seized and both were later arrested.

On 24 October 2013, Anthony Smith was seen getting into a black Audi car on Park Lane West, Swinton near to where Zammit was stood watching. The car drove off and seconds later returned, driving directly past Zammit who gave a thumbs up. Drugs had been exchanged in the Audi and Zammit had been there to oversee the transaction.

On 30 October, Christopher Zammit and James Close were observed by police in Westhoughton arranging drug transactions for later that day.

Shaun Smith and David Knight were both later directed by Close and they collected a package containing one kilo of cocaine from Anthony Smith who was under direction from Zammitt. Samuel Reynolds was later seen collecting a second kilo from Smith at the same location in Swinton. Shaun Smith's home on Carders Close, Leigh was raided and cash within the region of £80,000 was seized. The value of these drugs was £360,000.

On 4 November 2013, police recovered a Lugar hand gun with 9mm ammunition from the home address of Anthony Smith.

On 8 November, a warrant was executed at a house on Woodman Avenue, Bury where cocaine, heroin and adulterants to the value of over £1,000,000 as well as drugs paraphernalia were seized. Further searches of the house found 35 rounds of 9mm ammunition stored within the television cupboard. Abia Din was arrested. Cocaine and £31,000 in cash was also found at a house on Arley Avenue, Bury here Mohammed Din was arrested.

Further warrants were executed 17 December 2013 where Zammit and Close were arrested. Whitely was arrested in March this year.

In total, the amount of drugs seized was £1,666, 242

Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle said: "This was a highly complex case that essentially involved three crime groups responsible for the distribution and movement of drugs.

“The strikes, as part of Project Gulf, were the end product of weeks of intelligence gathering by police officers in an effort to smash organised crime across the local and Greater Manchester area.

"Zammit was the principle member of these groups and was the main man who connected them.

“Even though he lived in Wigan, he drove to Salford on a daily basis to conduct drug deals worth thousands of pounds.

“In one part of his empire he had Anthony Smith, who was a distributor of cocaine, James Miller and Niki Dunn, who had a role in the preparation and supply of cocaine and cannabis.

“The second group was headed by James Close with Craig Whitely, Shaun Smith, David Knight and Samuel Reynolds entrusted to distribute the drugs.

“Mohammed Din was top of the final group alongside Abia Din.

"Organised criminality causes misery for ordinary people going about their lawful business. It causes fear and intimidation and I would urge anyone who believes they have information about those involved in organised crime to contact police. As always, the information you supply will be dealt with privately and confidentially."

Councillor David Lancaster, Deputy Mayor at Salford City Council said: “This is another major success from Project Gulf, which is all about disrupting and removing organised criminals from our streets. There’s a whole networks of partnership resources working hard behind the scenes to keep the city as safe as possible.

“In Salford there is no place to hide - so if you’re involved in illegal activity expect a knock on your door very soon.

“A big thank you goes out to all those in the community that provided information which has resulted in these lengthy prison sentences. If you have information you can pass it directly to police on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”