A man has been jailed for nine years and eight months after being found guilty of running drugs from Manchester to Cumbria.
Assim Ali, 32, of Lever Court, Prestwich was caught with £50,000 in heroin and cannabis, ammo and a Taser disguised as a torch when police raided his home in August last year.
Ali had been stopped in Kendal, Cumbira, with a large amount of heroin destined to be distributed around the north of England.
Police described the convicted man as an “habitual drug dealer who preys on vulnerable people”.
He was found guilty of possession of Class A and Class C drugs with intent to supply, possession of prohibited ammunition and possession of a prohibited weapon.
It was a joint operation between Greater Manchester Police’s Challenger team and Cumbria Police.
Detective Inspector Tony Norman of Challenger Manchester said: “His network of drug dealing crossed county lines and the impact of it was felt both locally and in communities as far afield as the Lake District.
“Ali was targeted and successfully brought to justice following a dedicated policing operation by officers from Challenger Manchester supported by our colleagues at Cumbria Constabulary.
“Challenger Manchester is committed to disrupting and dismantling organised crime groups that not only operate in Manchester but also criminals that travel out of the area to ply their trade.
“We adopt a pro-active approach alongside our partner agencies to prevent organised crime and pursue those responsible for bringing misery to our communities. If you choose to operate as a criminal in Manchester and beyond we will pursue you and identify every available opportunity to dismantle your activity and bring you to justice.”
