‘Self-proclaimed drugs lord’ William Bates, 26, boasted he would ‘make a milly’
22:03, 31 Mar 2025Updated 22:28, 31 Mar 2025
William Bates(Image: Greater Manchester Police)
A drug dealer from Greater Manchester who boasted in a song that he was making ‘stacks’ of cash and would ‘make a milly’ has been brought down.
Wannabe rapper William Bates, 26, who boasted he was ‘swerving the feds’, was eventually apprehended and found with 100 wraps of cocaine in his man bag after being chased on foot through woods by officers.
Bates from Wigan, ran a ‘county lines’ operation where he used kids and vulnerable adults to ‘do his dirty work’ and bag up heroin and cocaine to be sold in Leigh, Wigan, and Burnley, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said.
He has now been jailed after detectives rumbled his ‘large-scale drugs conspiracy.’
Officers first began looking into him in January 2023 and raided his home in Astley in October of that year. His phone was seized and found messages in which he was ‘boasting about his criminality’ and ‘directing those beneath him to conduct drug deals’ GMP said.
Bates used kids and vulnerable adults ‘to do his dirty work’ police said(Image: Greater Manchester Police)
He was charged and bailed but illegal activities continued. In October 2024, he was observed by plain clothes officers carrying out a drug deal on Butts Lane in Leigh.
He got into an uninsured car which was being driven by a woman, and then followed him. Bates, who had the 100 wraps of cocaine in his bag, tried to run after officers brought it to a stop.
But after a chase through a wooded area, he was detained.
A house search was carried out and police recovered three machetes, cannabis, and a duffle bag containing several glass vials containing liquid and syringes.
Whilst analysing his phone, detectives discovered that Bates had written a song about ‘his career as a self-proclaimed drugs lord, who was allegedly making thousands of pounds in cash’ GMP said.
He was jailed at Bolton Crown Court on Friday(Image: MEN Media)
In the lyrics, which have been shared by the force, he says: “Lil Billy don’t be silly. I trapping till I make a milly. All these hands to hands. I chopped grams grams. Now I stack grands on grands.”
He continued: “Call me Peter with this pan. Got me fleeing like the man.” Concluding: “Yo call me yergan cos I be out in the German. Serving. Only feds wat I swerving. I be earning determine. These are facts.”
His messages also revealed he sent links to GMP press releases about him to dealers whilst trying to secure drugs on holiday.
Bates, of Brooke Drive, Astley, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs and being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
He was jailed for nine years and seven months at Bolton Crown Court on Friday (March 28).
Detective Constable Kay from our County Lines Team, said: “Bates has caused untold damage in our communities, selling drugs to vulnerable people, using minors to do his dirty work, and threatening them with violence if they didn’t what he asked of them, so we welcome this sentence.
The lyrics to Lil Billy Don’t Be Silly(Image: GMP)
“His bravado and desire to show off ultimately helped secure this conviction, with his messages providing us with crucial insight into his criminal dealings.
“We know that criminals will seek to exploit young people to deal drugs and commit criminal activity on their behalf.
“People recruited by such groups might not see themselves as victims and might even be blinded by the offers of money and other incentives, but those higher up the chain are well and truly exploiting them to keep their own hands clean.
“With Bates now behind bars, we can continue to safeguard and protect the vulnerable people connected to this investigation, and others in the community.”