Manchester Drug Gang Busted in County Lines Crackdown
A major county lines operation was smashed by police after a northern Manchester drug gang was caught red-handed running a crack cocaine and heroin empire.
Suppliers and Dealers Exposed
Anthony McKenna, 23, from Rigeway Street in Miles Platting, supplied huge amounts of crack cocaine and heroin to kingpin Jamie Lee Collins, 34, of Purslow Close in Beswick. Collins then deployed his dealers, Michelle McIntyre, 49, and Paul McMullen, 51, to flood the streets with drugs and rake in the cash.
McKenna stayed in constant touch with Collins, sending messages like, “you runni low on that yet rkid,” to restock the supply. Collins responded quickly, promising to “grab” more and “clean up” the streets.
Street Dealers Caught Sleeping on the Job
McIntyre and McMullen acted as the street-level dealers, contacting users via bulk text blasts known as ‘flares’ sent from a ‘graft’ phone before hitting the streets to deliver drugs.
Police moved in with a series of warrants after uncovering the operation. On 4 November 2021, officers raided Collins’ home, where he was caught scrambling to flush drugs down the toilet before surrendering — dressed only in his boxer shorts.
That same day, cops stormed a flat on Samuel Ogden Street and found McIntyre and McMullen asleep on the sofa. A search uncovered drug lists showing debts owed, wraps of crack cocaine and heroin, mobile phones, and paraphernalia.
Sentences Handed Down at Manchester Crown Court
McKenna was arrested on 22 February 2022, where two phones were seized as further evidence.
All four pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin. On 6 December at Manchester Crown Court, McKenna was jailed for six years. Collins got five years and six months. McIntyre was handed three years and four months, and McMullen two years and five months behind bars.
Detective Constable Chris Anders of the City of Manchester North challenger team said: “The group were operating under a county lines network that is known for profiting from some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”
“McKenna was supplying substantial amounts of crack cocaine and heroin to Collins who would then use McIntyre and McMullen to deal the drugs to users.”
“During the warrants – which were supported by the Tactical Aid Unit – we seized mobile phones which showed how the gang were operating but also led us to McKenna who was sitting at the top of this supply chain.”
