Members of drugs gang made frequent trips to Bradford

West Yorkshire Police was partly responsible for bringing the criminals to justice.

In 2021, Greater Manchester Police launched an investigation into James Mulligan - who was head of the gang which flooded streets with drugs across parts of England and Wales.

Beneath him, he had a string of associates, including Sheila Mason – a woman Mulligan called "grandma" - who was in control of the stash house in Droyslden, Greater Manchester.

As investigations developed, police uncovered more individuals linked to Mulligan and the gang.

During surveillance between April and October 2021, police from West Yorkshire, Manchester and Merseyside made a number of arrests and seizures when the gang was caught couriering drugs, firearms and cash across the country.

On August 12 that year, three of the gang members - Brian Mulligan Junior, Gary Holtham and Lee Hamlet-Clorley - travelled to Bradford.

Following an exchange of a parcel, the group was intercepted by officers, who found a kilogram of heroin.

Further investigations showed the men made frequent trips to Bradford.

In total, 11 members of the gang have now been jailed. 

What police found as they investigated the gang (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Detective Inspector Justin Bryant, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "This was a really complex investigation which started with eight suspects, but soon developed into tracking 13 members of an organised crime group, unveiling an extensive criminal network responsible for supplying large quantities of drugs and weapons - two trades that fuel intimidation and exploitation in Manchester and across the UK.

"This gang thought they were untouchable - they only cared about lining their pockets.

"The scale of drugs they were involved in will have undoubtedly contributed to serious violence and depravation in our communities."

What were the sentences handed down to the gang?

On Friday, the final defendants were sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy. They are:

Brian Mulligan Junior (20/06/1990), of Claymore Street, Manchester, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs. He has been jailed for seven years and two months.

Brian Mulligan Senior (24/07/1969), of Tree House Avenue, Tameside, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. He has been jailed for four years and six months.

Tony McGoff (31/12/1994), of Kingswood Road, Middleton, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply class B drugs. He has been jailed for two years and eight months.

Lee Hamlet-Clorley (02/08/1999), of Stainton Avenue, Manchester, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. He has been jailed for five years and four months.

Christopher Thornton (15/04/2001), of no fixed abode, was found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. He has been jailed for four years and six months.

Gary Holtham (02/05/1966), of Inverness Road, Dukinfield, was found guilty of assisting the activities of an organised crime group. He has been jailed for 18 months.

Katrina Barton (06/05/1963), of Elton Street West, Wallsend, failed to appear at court. She will be sentenced at a later date.  

Earlier in the year:

James Mulligan (31/05/1993), of Hillside Close, Hyde, was jailed for 11 years and seven months. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and conspiracy to possess a firearm. He was found not guilty of conspiracy to possess ammunition.

David Keenan (11/11/1979), of Turner Street, Bacup, was jailed for 10 years and eight months after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and conspiracy to possess a firearm.

Damian Batty (07/12/1975), of Crawford Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, was jailed for seven years after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.

Sibu Ngema (05/03/1977), of Bridge Road, Wrexham, was jailed for six years and one month. He pleaded guilty to supply class A and B drugs.

Michael Woodhouse (08/01/1987), of Pendleton Green, Halewood, was jailed for four years and three months after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.

Richard Braisdell (17/05/1971), of Llaner Y Mor, Gwyned, and Sheila Mason (03/04/1951), of Baguley Street, Droylsden, both pleaded guilty to assisting an organised crime group (OCG) and received a community order.