Barrow to Manchester drug group jailed for total of 50 years

The final members of the group who supplied heroin and cocaine were sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Tuesday, September 24.

The ‘Shakka’ line, predominately ran from a prison cell in South Yorkshire, flooded Barrow with drugs through a county lines network using ‘graft’ numbers to advertise the availability of drugs in the area, even offering a delivery service to users' homes.

PC Ryan Smith, of Cumbria Police's Community Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “We have disrupted a major county lines OCG (organised crime group) and now have nine people behind bars for their role in a county lines drugs conspiracy.

“I am pleased with the sentences handed out and, more importantly, taking nine dangerous people and illegal substances off the street."

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As part of the operation, a warrant was executed at an address on Wordsworth Street in Barrow on November 1, 2023.

This resulted in the arrest and charge of four members of the OCG and a large amount of cocaine was seized.

Following this, a strike phase took place at addresses in Oldham, Rochdale and Barrow in mid-November last.

This work ultimately led to ten people being arrested and charged as part of the conspiracy, with two charged with ancillary drug supply and arson with intent to endanger life offences. 

The head of the county line was Al-Shakil Sadiq, who controlled the line from his prison cell in HMP Lindholme using a number of illicit mobile phones.

He was jailed on September 20 for 10 and a half years.

Sadiq used a network of individuals who each played a key role in facilitating the supply of heroin and crack cocaine to the streets of Barrow.

Sarah Kolsuma Sadiq, 30, of Belfield Road, Rochdale, was a senior member of the OCG, using personal mobile numbers and Snapchat to ensure the continuity of the drugs supply operation when her brother, Al-Shakil, was unable to coordinate matters himself.

She was sentenced to six years and four months in prison for her role in the conspiracy.

Shamim Hussain, 28, of Sherwood Street, Oldham, was responsible for sending out bulk drug advertisement messages to users in the Barrow area.

He travelled to Barrow on nine occasions to restock the OCG and collect money. He was sentenced to six years in prison.

Gregory Bell, 47 of Marsdale Grove and Brandon McGuire, 25, of Marsh Street, Barrow, were responsible for storing and preparing drug restocks of Class A drugs for onward supply in Barrow.

Bell was jailed for four-and-a-half years and McGuire was jailed for four years and one month.

Jackson Young, 20, of Long Croft, Barrow was responsible for the cocaine operation in Barrow under Al-Shakil Sadiq, recruiting and directing sub-dealers.

He was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the OCG.

Kirsty Davidson, 36, and John Thompson 44, both of Wordsworth Street, Barrow, were street dealers who used intimidation tactics against other OCG members.

In July 2024, Davidson was jailed for 56 months, and Thompson was jailed for 65 months. 

James Thompson, 44, of Peter Street, Whitehaven was arrested and charged with drug supply and arson after travelling to Barrow in October 2023 where he was seen on CCTV pouring petrol on an address. 

He was jailed for 28 months and also pleaded guilty to an offence of arson with intent to danger life, receiving a total five-and-a-half year prison sentence.

Another person, who was 17 at the time of arrest, entered a guilty plea at Manchester Youth Court on February 20.

PC Smith added: “This was a significant operation which spanned many months and involved officers from Barrow Police and the Community Serious Organised Crime Unit, the North West Regional Crime Team and Greater Manchester Police, working in close partnership to disrupt and dismantle the OCG.

“Today’s substantial custodial sentences should serve as a warning to those thinking about establishing similar operations in our communities - we will catch you.

"We are not complacent, and we will continue to proactively target those who are involved in the supply of drugs within our county.

“The support of our communities in reporting drug dealing is a key tool in tackling organised criminality and we encourage members of the public to get in touch with any information that might help us."

Anyone with information about drugs offences can call police on 101 or report online at cumbria.police.uk.

Alternatively, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers, completely anonymously, on 0800 555 111.