UPDATE: |The 23 ‘JJ’ line criminals taken down in Piccadilly Gardens undercover sting News

“From day one, we said we would do whatever it takes to drive out crime from Piccadilly Gardens, and this operation shows just that”

These are the criminals brought to justice after being hunted down by undercover cops investigating drug dealing in Piccadilly Gardens.

In November 2023, officers from Greater Manchester Police’s Operation Vulcan, supported by specialist police from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, launched a major operation in Piccadilly Gardens targeting class A drug dealing.

Police identified several offenders who were operating in different locations across Piccadilly Gardens and North Manchester, pushing drugs to customers using various means.

Some advertised their wares through flare messages, others used young teenagers to deliver drugs, and some just approached those looking for drugs in the area to help them get their fix.

This week, Manchester Crown Court heard that one particular group who operated in Ardwick Green Park, were quickly caught using an undercover cop posing as a customer. On Tuesday, April 22, drugs boss Martin Joyce, his brother Dougie Joyce, and drug runners Dean Graham, Mark Togher and Thomas Hulme were sentenced for their roles in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin.

They are the final five of 23 criminals who have been hauled in front of a judge.

The court heard that an officer posing as a customer made repeated calls to the ‘JJ’ line, run by brothers Martin Joyce and Dougie Joyce. He met with two mountain bike-riding ‘runners’ at Ardwick Green Park on at least 10 occasions and was sold crack cocaine and heroin.

Police later discovered ‘flare’ messages had been sent to more than 200 potential customers. The group was also found to have exploited two teenagers. One of them was sent a picture on Snapchat from Martin Joyce – who had the username ‘martinjoyce903 Gang Opp’ – with cash spread out on a bed.

“All of you bombs get out of bed and make some f*****g money,” the caption read. Analysis of phone and cell site data revealed a network of dealers.

Martin Joyce, 25, was the head of the organisation, assisted by 22-year-old brother Dougie. When police made their move at the home of Martin Joyce’s girlfriend, he fled in a pink dressing gown.

Drone footage video shows his desperate attempt to escape, jumping over fences while barely clothed before being arrested.

Officers seized large quantities of crack cocaine hidden in a shoe; £750 stashed in another shoe; £276 put in a crisp packet; debtors lists; digital weighing scales; and multiple mobile phones.

At another property, Hulme was seen throwing phones from a window. They were later linked to the ‘JJ’ line.

The investigation also focused on an alley in Piccadilly Gardens, known as Back Piccadilly, which was notorious for drug deals due to its private and secluded nature. Criminals such as Ahmed Elgamodi, 28, who attacked a man who was visiting the city from Hong Kong, as he returned to his hotel, have also been brought to justice.

The man, who was in his 30s, had been out enjoying a few drinks when Elgamodi approached him in Back George Street and offered him some cannabis.

Following a brief conversation, Elgamodi threw the man to the floor and assaulted him. He then snatched the victim’s phone from his pocket and ran off.

Elgamodi, of no fixed abode, was convicted of robbery at Manchester Crown Court. He was sentenced to five years and two months in prison for the robbery and ordered to serve a further two years for his involvement in the supply of crack cocaine.

Demitrius Wright, 34, was with a group in the centre of Manchester when he took a £20 note from an undercover officer before handing it to an associate. Within minutes, the pair had gone behind a corner and Wright came back with a ‘rock’ of crack cocaine, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Sait Jobe, 33, handed the undercover officer a number for a drugs line. He went on to supply the cop crack cocaine and heroin.

During one day of surveillance, he was found to have made 17 deals with customers. He pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and was jailed for over three years at Manchester Crown Court.

Detective Sergeant Matt Donnelly, who led the undercover operation, said: “From day one, we said we would do whatever it takes to drive out crime from Piccadilly Gardens, and this operation shows just that.

“This was a well-resourced and high stakes investigation to tackle the drugs trade in Piccadilly Gardens and the surrounding areas which was causing a nuisance to local businesses, residents, and those visiting our city. Its success was crucial to our overall aim of improving Piccadilly Gardens, and as a result of this operation, we’re confident that we have made an impact on the supply chain by securing these convictions.

“In order to ensure no other criminals could creep back in and fill this void, our regular patrols of the area have ramped up to provide a constant visible presence in the area, deterring criminals from thinking Piccadilly Gardens is a good place for their illicit business.”

SENTENCES IN FULL

• Henry Solanke (16/06/1996) of no fixed abode was jailed for two years and six months.

• Demitrius Wright (05/12/1989) of Jennings Avenue, Salford, was jailed for two years and eight months. He was issued with a five year Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO).

• Ahmed Benny-Bah (12/06/1990) was jailed for three years and four months. He was issued with a five year CBO.

• Sait Jobe (04/09/1990) of Clover Road, Timperley, was jailed for three years and four months. He was issued with a five year CBO.

• Darren Scholes (10/12/1979) of Alkrington Court was jailed for four years and six months. He was issued with a five year CBO.

• Sanni Younouss (07/05/2002) of The Quadrant, Tameside, was jailed for three years and four months. He was issued with a seven year CBO.

• Ryan Chadwick (05/02/1996) of Ridgewood Avenue, Manchester, was jailed for five years. He was issued with a five year CBO.

• Julius Cole (16/07/2005) of no fixed abode, was jailed for three years. He was issued with a five year CBO.

• Abidaladif Mohamed (01/01/1999) of Keswick Grove, Salford, was jailed for two years and six months.

• Abdoulie Conteh (04/12/1996) of Broad Street, Salford, was jailed for four years. He was issued with a five year CBO.

• Tolga Turkozu (23/07/1998) of no fixed abode, received a two year suspended sentence and had to fulfil 200 hours of community service.

• Mohammed Omar (15/11/2000) of Greengate, Salford, was jailed for two years and eight months. £12,000 of his criminal cash has been forfeited by detectives in our Economic Crime Unit which will now be used to fund community projects across Greater Manchester as part of Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS) funding.

• Ashley Connors (22/11/2003) of Dean Street, Failsworth, was jailed for two years and six months. He was issued with a five year CBO.

• Ibrahem Ibrahem (15/01/2008) of Fairbourne Road, Manchester, was jailed for three years. He was issued with a four year CBO.

• Diane Stone (30/06/1967) of Laindon Road, Manchester, was jailed for one year and four months.

• Francisco De Jesus (25/08/1980) of no fixed abode, was jailed for one year and four months.

• Dean Graham (13/07/1996) of no fixed abode, was given community order over which will be served over two years.

• Martin Joyce (12/06/1999) of Basechurch Walk, Gorton, was jailed for seven years

• Dougie Joyce (19/04/2001) of Reabrook Avenue, Manchester, was jailed for five years and six months

• Mark Togher (27/03/1988) of Elizabeth Street, Denton, was jailed for three years and five months

• Thomas Hulme (27/11/2005) of Trowtree Avenue, Manchester, will serve three years and three months in youth offending institution.

• Nahom Haileselassie (29/12/1993) of no fixed abode, was jailed for two years and nine months. He was issued with a five year CBO.

• Ahmed Elgamodi (31/3/1996) of no fixed abode jailed for seven years and 2 months.