Wolverhampton Man Jailed for Seven Years Over Drugs and Weapons Bust
Balraj Maan from Wolverhampton Street, Walsall, was slammed with a seven-year prison sentence on Wednesday 10 January 2024 at Manchester Crown Court. He was found guilty of multiple drug offences, plus possession of a firearm and a bladed weapon.
Operation Vulcan Cracks Down on Drug Dealing
The investigation kicked off on 4 March 2023 when officers spotted a suspicious Silver Vauxhall Astra and another vehicle on Overbridge Road, Salford. The pair followed the cars as they moved through Harris Street onto Dewhurst Street. Maan’s vehicle was tracked for around 25 seconds before coming to a halt at the bottom of Dewhurst Street.
Police approached Maan and two others from the second car, uncovering that a minor traffic collision had sparked a scuffle. Maan had failed to stop to exchange details after the crash, raising officers’ suspicions.
Drugs, Guns, and Cash Found After Arrest
With Maan’s history of weapons and drug offences, and visible cash in the car, officers carried out a thorough search under the Misuse of Drugs Act. Maan was arrested initially for failure to stop, then for possession of Class A and B drugs at the scene.
A black bag seized from the vehicle contained two bank cards, a student ID, a stack of cash, four bags of cannabis, and two mobile phones. Forensic tests confirmed the presence of cocaine powder, and further searches uncovered 12 grams of suspected Class A drugs.
Analysis of a burner phone revealed hundreds of drug deals conducted weekly by Maan leading up to his arrest.
Seven Years Behind Bars for a Career of Crime
Maan faced charges concerning criminal acts in both Manchester and Wolverhampton. He was convicted for possession with intent to supply Class A (Crack Cocaine) and Class B (Cannabis) in Manchester.
Additionally, offences dating back to July 2019 in Wolverhampton included possession of a firearm, a bladed article, and Class A drugs (Cocaine and Heroin) with intent to supply.
Detective Constable Matthew Bowling of GMP’s Operation Vulcan said:
“We are extremely pleased that the courts have given Maan a significant custodial sentence for his actions. I truly hope he now reflects on his criminal lifestyle and is willing to change his ways with support from the prison service and probation. Be assured Operation Vulcan are watching, waiting and ready to act on drug-dealers like Maan, who bring misery and criminality to the Cheetham Hill area. Today’s sentence makes it crystal clear that criminal behaviour will lead you to one place, and one place only, prison.”
Spot Crime? Here’s How to Report It
- Call Greater Manchester Police (GMP) on 101 or report online at www.gmp.police.uk
- Contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously at 0800 555 111
