Accrington Drug Gang Busted: Over 30 Years Behind Bars
Four members of a ruthless organised crime group (OCG) running a dedicated drug line in Accrington have been slammed with prison sentences totalling more than 30 years. Four others walked the legal plank for knowingly allowing their homes to be used as drug dens.
Operation Melford Smashes Drug Ring
Back in October 2020, police launched Operation Melford after locals complained about drug chaos near St Leger Court, Accrington.
Using phone taps and CCTV, officers discovered the infamous “Soldier Line” drug operation was being run from that very area.
Police Raid Leads to Dramatic Window Escape
On October 12, 2020, Waqas Khan was caught at a property on Exchange Street. Police forced their way in through a reinforced door, hearing frantic toilet flushing. Inside, they found scales loaded with heroin, crack cocaine, and a cool £1,000 in cash.
At Khan’s home on College Street, a phone packed with drug supply messages sealed his fate.
Later that evening, cops stormed a house on Catlow Hall Street, Oswaldtwistle. Khan and co-defendant Eshan Monshur tried to make a dramatic escape, jumping out of a barricaded bedroom window. Eyewitnesses spotted four fleeing suspects altogether. Khan was nabbed in a nearby schoolyard.
Inside the Catlow Hall Street property, officers found £5,000 worth of heroin and crack cocaine being bagged for street deals — plus a stash of mobile phones.
Landlords Turned Drug Dealers, Say Police
Homeowner Lawrie Dunn was arrested after phone evidence showed she fully knew about the criminal activity going down under her roof. Her co-defendant, Anastacia Dearden, admitted letting fellow gang member Basha Ullah bag up drugs at her place.
Soon after, officers spotted Monshur with Mohammed Mushtaq and Junaid Khan in a taxi near Catlow Hall Street. All three were believed to be the other window jumpers. A search found crack cocaine hidden in Junaid Khan’s boxer shorts.
Mushtaq’s fingerprints were also found on drug packaging from the raid.
Sentences Handed Out to Major Players
- Waqas Khan, 28, (ex-College Street) – 10 years 6 months for conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine.
- Junaid Khan, 22, Lime Road – 12 years 8 months for the same offences.
- Eshan Monshur, 20, Arnold Close, Blackburn – 4 years 6 months.
- Basha Ullah, 36, formerly Richmond Hill Street – 3 years 9 months.
Mohammed Mushtaq’s sentence is pending.
Landlords Face Community Orders
Earlier this year, four locals pleaded guilty to letting their premises fuel the Class A drug trade:
- Natalie Butt, 51, St Leger Court – 12-month community order + rehab.
- John Owen, 51, St Leger Court – 12-month community order, 100 hours unpaid work, rehab.
- Lawrie Dunn, 37, Cross Street – 18-month community order + rehab.
- Anastacia Dearden, 26, Hood Street – 12-month community order + rehab.
Police Issue Warning to Drug Dealers
“I am pleased with these significant custodial sentences handed down by the court,” said Detective Chief Inspector Tim Brown of East Division. “Lancashire Police and the courts will not tolerate OCGs profiting from society’s most vulnerable through Class A drugs. If you suspect criminal activity in your area, contact the police – we will act.”
