Downfall of cocaine gang who bragged 'never off we on 24/7' and 'money talks baby'
Members of a gang who supplied huge amounts of drugs in East Lancashire and beyond have been jailed for more than 20 years.
Kingpin Junaid Khan was sent to prison for almost nine years for his role in heading up the organised crime gang (OCG) which dealt large quantities of cocaine and cannabis. The sentences for Khan and other members of the gang follow on from a Lancashire Police investigation into drug supply in the Burnley and Bradford area.
The criminal operation was run by the Khan family and headed up by Junaid Khan, who was already serving a prison sentence for drug offences. Their illegal exploits came crashing down following the execution of a drugs warrant in October last year at the home address of the Khan’s where cannabis and cocaine were recovered along with telephones and cash
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Police were able to assess the mobile phone devices which unearthed drug dealing on a large scale across Burnley and Bradford. In one of the messages, they bragged "#Never off we on 24/7" and in other they wrote "Money talks baby".
Officers secured evidence that one of the group started dealing cannabis when he was just 14. Members of the OCG were jailed at Preston Crown Court this week.
They included:
Junaid Khan, 24, of no fixed abode, was jailed for eight years and nine months for conspiracy to supply cannabis and being concerned in the supply of cocaine.
Musa Khan, 19, of Redvers Street, Burnley, was jailed for one year and six months for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine
Trevor Smith, 23, of no fixed abode, was jailed for three years and nine months for offering to supply and being concerned in the supply of heroin.
Asim Rafiq, 27, of, Styal Road, Styal, was jailed for seven years for conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine
Keeley Glover, 33, of Waterbarn Street, Burnley, was given a community order for conspiracy to supply cannabis. A 16-year-old, who can’t be named for legal reasons, will be sentenced at a later date for conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis.
Det Sgt Stu Peall, of our East Exploitation team, said: "We will continue to crack down on those involved in drug supply in our communities and who prey on the vulnerable for their own greed. I hope that seeing these sentences encourages people to continue to report suspicious activity, either directly to the police or anonymously to Crimestoppers."
A force spokesperson added: "Operation Warrior is Lancashire Police’s response to tackling serious and organised crime in Lancashire, supported by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw. It aims to target the individuals and gangs involved in crime, as well as associated issues such as violence and intimidation, large scale drug supply, exploitation, and fraud, all of which can cause serious harm to local communities.
"If you believe that someone may be involved in drugs activity in your area, you can report it to us by calling 101. Alternatively, you can report it via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report your concerns anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org. If you think someone is in immediate danger, call 999."