Seven members of a drug gang have been jailed (Image: Greater Manchester Police)
A major drug gang based in Greater Manchester have been jailed after “showing off” their illegal lifestyle while driving Lamborghinis in Monaco.
Seven members of the organised crime group based in Oldham and Rochdale were jailed for a combined 46 years at Manchester Crown Square Court on May 29. Operating across England and Scotland, they were involved in the wholesale supply of Class A and B drugs and a sophisticated money laundering operation. Throughout the investigation, significant amounts of cash and drugs were moved, including 80kg worth of cannabis valued at over £1 million.
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Their criminal activity spanned from January 2024 to May 2025, and saw suspects travel around Europe in luxury vehicles, showing off their lavish lifestyle that had been gained through illegal avenues.
Seven members were jailed for varying terms, including: Sajjad Anwar of Bronte Close, Rochdale; Umar Vakas of Rising Lane, Oldham; Anthony Carter of Briarwood Crescent, Stockport; Talha Nasim of Boundary Street, Rochdale, Waqas Mustafa of Fitzwilliam Road, Rotherham; Bilal Irshad of Aubrey Street, Rochdale; and Mohamed Kayani of Shelfield Lane, Rochdale.
Detective Inspector Rick Castley from the Greater Manchester Police serious and organised crime division said: “This group was a highly sophisticated outfit, they were a network with many layers where everyone played their part.
“From the couriers to purchasers, to laundering cash under what seemed to be legitimate businesses. The individuals involved operated across borders, using sophisticated methods to conceal their activities and avoid detection.
“Through determination, collaboration, and intelligence-led policing, we have dismantled their network and prevented further harm that these drugs might have done to communities both here in Greater Manchester and across the United Kingdom.”
He thanked officers and partner agencies for their hard work and dedication during the length of this investigation.
“The sentences that have been handed out over the past two days sends a clear message: organised crime will not be tolerated, and those who seek to profit from it will be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice.”
Police seized cash and drugs from the gang (Image: Greater Manchester Police)
Police said in August 2024, Vakas, Anwar, and Nasim were observed travelling through France, Switzerland, Monaco, and Italy in luxury vehicles such as top-of-the-range Audi’s, Lamborghini’s and Mercedes.
Irshad and Kayani together operated a sophisticated money‑laundering network using business accounts, cash‑storage locations and structured transfers. The pair laundered between £500,000 and £2 million, with Irshad in a leading role and Kayani providing significant support.
Anwar had a significant role in a money‑laundering network, directing others and overseeing the movement and concealment of criminal proceeds, while Vakas was classed as a central figure in the drug‑supply operation, acting as a broker arranging wholesale transactions between suppliers and buyers.
Carter was a wholesale purchaser who received multi‑kilogram quantities of cocaine under the instruction of Vakas during a period in April 2025, while Nasim played a key role in the supply of cannabis, including cross‑border distribution into Scotland.
Mustafa acted as a custodian and a courier of wholesale amounts of drugs. The 33-year-old maintained detailed drug ledgers documenting transactions and quantities. He was found in possession of drugs and paraphernalia at the time of arrest.
Sentences
- Sajjad Anwar (23/03/1991) of Bronte Close, Rochdale, has been jailed for three years after being found guilty of conspiracy to transfer criminal property in England.
- Umar Vakas (16/02/1996) of Rising Lane, Oldham, has been jailed for 11 years after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and conspiracy to supply Class B drugs in England and conspiracy to supply Class B drugs in Scotland.
- Anthony Carter (03/06/1973) of Briarwood Crescent, Stockport, has been jailed for nine years and nine months after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
- Talha Nasim (27/01/1993) of Boundary Street, Rochdale, has been jailed for two years and four months after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs in England and Scotland.
- Waqas Mustafa (15/10/1992) of Fitzwilliam Road, Rotherham, has been jailed for nine years and eight months after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and conspiracy to supply Class B drugs in England.
- Bilal Irshad (13/03/1993) of Aubrey Street, Rochdale, has been jailed for six years and eight months after being found guilty of conspiracy to transfer criminal property in England and Scotland.
- Mohamed Kayani (04/10/1992) of Shelfield Lane, Rochdale has been jailed for four years after being found guilty of conspiracy to transfer criminal property in England and Scotland.