Gun-Toting Drug Dealer Busted Cycling Around Manchester
Nathaniel Morris was slammed with a hefty sentence of six years and eight months at Manchester Crown Court on Friday 14 May. The 19-year-old from Chattock Street admitted to carrying a firearm and possessing class A drugs with intent to supply.
Manhunt Ends with Dramatic Arrest
The arrest came after officers from GMP’s Xcalibre Task Force cracked down hard on firearms in South Manchester. It all kicked off on the evening of Wednesday 25 March 2020, when a tip-off from the public reported a suspected robbery by a group of youths on bikes on Oxford Road.
Police swiftly searched the area and spotted Morris riding a white bike on Freetown Close. He made a run for it but was chased down and arrested in the car park at Manchester Science Park.
Loaded Shotgun and Drugs Found After Bailiff Chase
A search of Morris found a shotgun cartridge in his jacket, while a balaclava and gloves were recovered nearby. An abandoned bike on St Bees Close led officers to a single-barrel shotgun, dangerously modified with a shortened barrel and a string for easy carrying – and it was loaded.
At Morris’s home, officers uncovered nearly £300 worth of drugs cleverly hidden inside a Kinder Egg capsule – 28 bags of heroin, plus cocaine. He denied owning the shotgun initially, but forensic tests confirmed his link to the weapon and ammo.
Task Force Cheers Jail Time for Dangerous Criminal
“It’s rewarding to see Morris locked up for a significant time,” said Detective Constable Mark Graham of the Xcalibre Task Force. “Cycling around with a loaded shotgun shows just how much of a threat he posed. Weapons like this are lethal, and we won’t rest until the streets are safe.”
Detective Inspector Ian McNabb added: “We’ve removed countless deadly weapons from Manchester. Our fight against organised crime never stops. The Xcalibre Task Force will keep hunting criminals to protect the public.”
If you have info on suspicious activity, contact Greater Manchester Police online at www.gmp.police.uk or call 101. In an emergency, always dial 999. You can also report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
