{"id":45941,"date":"2025-04-24T06:49:18","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T06:49:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/45941\/"},"modified":"2025-04-24T06:49:18","modified_gmt":"2025-04-24T06:49:18","slug":"the-23-jj-line-criminals-taken-down-in-piccadilly-gardens-undercover-sting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/45941\/","title":{"rendered":"The 23 ‘JJ’ line criminals taken down in Piccadilly Gardens undercover sting"},"content":{"rendered":"

“From day one, we said we would do whatever it takes to drive out crime from Piccadilly Gardens, and this operation shows just that”<\/p>\n

06:05, 24 Apr 2025Updated 06:42, 24 Apr 2025<\/p>\n

Left: Martin Joyce.
\nTop row (L-R): Thomas Hulme, Sait Jobe, Julius Cole, Henry Solanke, Diane Stone
\nSecond row (L-R): Ryan Chadwick, Nahom Haileselassie, Ibrahem Ibrahem, Francisco De Jesus, Demitrius Wright
\nThird row (L-R): Mohammed Omar, Sanni Younouss, Mark Togher, Dougie Joyce, Ashley Connors
\nBottom row (L-R): Darren Scholes, Ahmed Benny-Bah, Ahmed Elgamodi, Abdoulie Conteh, Abidaladif Mohamed(Image: Greater Manchester Police)<\/p>\n

These are the criminals brought to justice after being hunted down by undercover cops investigating drug dealing in Piccadilly Gardens<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In November 2023, officers from Greater Manchester Police<\/a>\u2019s Operation Vulcan, supported by specialist police from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, launched a major operation in Piccadilly Gardens targeting class A drug dealing.<\/p>\n

Police identified several offenders who were operating in different locations across Piccadilly Gardens and North Manchester, pushing drugs to customers using various means.<\/p>\n

Some advertised their wares through flare messages, others used young teenagers to deliver drugs, and some just approached those looking for drugs in the area to help them get their fix.<\/p>\n

This week, Manchester Crown Court heard that one particular group who operated in Ardwick Green Park, were quickly caught using an undercover cop posing as a customer. On Tuesday, April 22, drugs boss Martin Joyce, his brother Dougie Joyce, and drug runners Dean Graham, Mark Togher and Thomas Hulme<\/a> were sentenced for their roles in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

They are the final five of 23 criminals who have been hauled in front of a judge.<\/p>\n

The court heard that an officer posing as a customer made repeated calls to the ‘JJ’ line, run by brothers Martin Joyce and Dougie Joyce. He met with two mountain bike-riding ‘runners’ at Ardwick Green Park on at least 10 occasions and was sold crack cocaine and heroin.<\/p>\n

Police later discovered ‘flare’ messages had been sent to more than 200 potential customers. The group was also found to have exploited two teenagers. One of them was sent a picture on Snapchat from Martin Joyce – who had the username ‘martinjoyce903 Gang Opp’ – with cash spread out on a bed.<\/p>\n

(Image: Greater Manchester Police)<\/p>\n

“All of you bombs get out of bed and make some f*****g money,” the caption read. Analysis of phone and cell site data revealed a network of dealers.<\/p>\n

Martin Joyce, 25, was the head of the organisation, assisted by 22-year-old brother Dougie. When police made their move at the home of Martin Joyce’s girlfriend, he fled in a pink dressing gown.<\/p>\n

Drone footage video shows his desperate attempt to escape, jumping over fences while barely clothed before being arrested.<\/p>\n

Officers seized large quantities of crack cocaine hidden in a shoe; \u00a3750 stashed in another shoe; \u00a3276 put in a crisp packet; debtors lists; digital weighing scales; and multiple mobile phones.<\/p>\n

At another property, Hulme was seen throwing phones from a window. They were later linked to the ‘JJ’ line.<\/p>\n

The investigation also focused on an alley in Piccadilly Gardens, known as Back Piccadilly, which was notorious for drug deals due to its private and secluded nature. Criminals such as Ahmed Elgamodi, 28, who attacked a man who was visiting the city from Hong Kong, as he returned to his hotel<\/a>, have also been brought to justice.<\/p>\n

The man, who was in his 30s, had been out enjoying a few drinks when Elgamodi approached him in Back George Street and offered him some cannabis.<\/p>\n

Following a brief conversation, Elgamodi threw the man to the floor and assaulted him. He then snatched the victim\u2019s phone from his pocket and ran off.<\/p>\n

Elgamodi, of no fixed abode, was convicted of robbery at Manchester Crown Court<\/a>. He was sentenced to five years and two months in prison for the robbery and ordered to serve a further two years for his involvement in the supply of crack cocaine.<\/p>\n

Demitrius Wright, 34, was with a group in the centre of Manchester when he took a \u00a320 note from an undercover officer<\/a> before handing it to an associate. Within minutes, the pair had gone behind a corner and Wright came back with a \u2018rock\u2019 of crack cocaine, Manchester Crown Court<\/a> heard.<\/p>\n

Sait Jobe, 33, handed the undercover officer a number for a drugs line<\/a>. He went on to supply the cop crack cocaine and heroin.<\/p>\n

During one day of surveillance, he was found to have made 17 deals with customers. He pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and was jailed for over three years at Manchester Crown Court<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Detective Sergeant Matt Donnelly, who led the undercover operation, said: \u201cFrom day one, we said we would do whatever it takes to drive out crime from Piccadilly Gardens, and this operation shows just that.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was a well-resourced and high stakes investigation to tackle the drugs trade in Piccadilly Gardens and the surrounding areas which was causing a nuisance to local businesses, residents, and those visiting our city. Its success was crucial to our overall aim of improving Piccadilly Gardens, and as a result of this operation, we\u2019re confident that we have made an impact on the supply chain by securing these convictions.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn order to ensure no other criminals could creep back in and fill this void, our regular patrols of the area have ramped up to provide a constant visible presence in the area, deterring criminals from thinking Piccadilly Gardens is a good place for their illicit business.\u201d<\/p>\n

SENTENCES IN FULL<\/p>\n