Drug Kingpin Caught After High-Speed Chase and International Manhunt
Francis McAnulty, 27, from Ordsall, used encrypted chat platforms to organise massive drug deals. He handled multi-kilo shipments of class A and B substances, importing and distributing them at a high level.
Massive Hauls of Cocaine, Heroin and More
Between March and June 2020, McAnulty arranged deliveries of at least 31kg of cocaine, 3kg of heroin, 1kg of ketamine, and 25kg of cannabis. Messages sent under aliases such as ‘ShapelyToast’, ‘EasternKiller’, and ‘NoisyBear’ revealed contacts with at least 10 suppliers and customers, plus dealers for encrypted phones and laptops.
He even discussed a cocaine shipment stuck in Germany and the prices of heroin and coke in Amsterdam.
Wild Police Chase Ends With Huge Drug Haul
On 4 November 2021, police tried to stop McAnulty in Salford. He drove recklessly, mounting the kerb in a busy residential street, damaging both his car and the police vehicle.
McAnulty bailed out and abandoned his car on Eccles New Road. A search uncovered a secret magnet-operated compartment hiding over 5kg of cocaine, 300g of crack cocaine, plus £33,520 in cash.
Fugitive Nabbed Abroad and Jailed for 12 Years
After fleeing the UK, authorities tracked him down in Amsterdam. He was arrested on 22 February 2023, then extradited back to England on 6 March.
At Manchester Crown Court on 27 April, McAnulty pled guilty and was slammed with a 12-year sentence for conspiracy to supply drugs, money laundering, and possession with intent to supply cocaine and crack cocaine.
