On Friday 3 July 2026 at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, four members of an organised crime group (OCG) operating in the Trafford area were sentenced to a combined 25 years in prison.

Four members of the group pleaded guilty to several drug offences in January 2026 at the start what would have been a five-week trial.

Germane Tarrant (22/05/1993) of Salford, was convicted of conspiracy to supply a class B and class A. He was sentenced to nine years and 10 months.

Calvin Cousins (02/06/1978) of Altcar Grove, Stockport, was convicted of conspiracy to supply class B and class A. He was sentenced to seven years.

Letitia Sandys (18/01/1986) of Salford was convicted of participating in the activities of an organised crime group by providing legitimacy to drug supply activity, collecting drugs from conspirators, assisting with anti-surveillance measures, and disposal of drugs and paraphernalia. She was sentenced to two years and three months.

The remaining defendant, Nicholas Griffin (14/12/1986) of Clifford Avenue, was convicted of conspiracy to supply class B and conspiracy to supply class A after a two-week trial in January. He was sentenced to six years and six months.

It comes after a Trafford Challenger unit investigation into the illegal activities of an organised crime group (OCG) concerned in the sale and distribution of class A and B drugs linked to the Sale, Altrincham and Timperley areas of Trafford between 25 August 2024 and 3 July 2025.

The investigation commenced following the arrest of Cousins in August 2024 on suspicion of possession with intent to supply, and soon after Tarrant and Cousins were identified as the principal members of this criminal operation.

Phone analysis and surveillance tactics revealed several phone numbers and movements made by this OCG which linked to the supply and distribution of class A and B drugs in Trafford.

On 28 April 2025, officers arrested Cousins for a second time with a rucksack full of cocaine and cannabis. He was remanded into custody.

On 3 July 2025, officers conducted a series of warrants at the addresses of the OCG members and recovered cannabis and cocaine to the value of over £25,000, as well as drug paraphernalia and several mobile phones. Following this, Tarrant and Griffin were remanded to custody.

The overall scale of the OCG during the period of the investigation was valued to be in the region of £462,000 for the class B (cannabis) and £271,000 for the class A (cocaine).

On 3 July 2026, the defendants were sentenced to a combined over 25 years in prison.

Detective Sergeant Samuel Barr from Trafford Challenger team, said: “The presence of organised crime groups (OCGs) in our communities undermines public safety and trust.

“We are committed to disrupting and dismantling OCGs to protect our communities and keep people safe from the harms associated with organised crime.

“I hope today sends a clear message that we will not tolerate organised crime and the exploitation of vulnerable people by those criminals. We will not stop until we have brought them to justice.

“If you are concerned about criminal activity in your area, please reach out to us, we rely on information from the public to assist with our enquiries. Reports can be made to police on 101 or via the LiveChat function on our website. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”