Overview
- The three defendants were convicted and sentenced on June 6, 2026, with Iain Potter and Jack Wright each given 11 years and four months and Ross Fathi jailed for six years for conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.
- Police evidence showed the Edenfield unit was a professional distribution hub fitted with packaging stations, vacuum sealers, label printers and hundreds of Royal Mail bags ready for dispatch.
- Royal Mail records indicate the gang sent 1,724 parcels between February and April 2025, with packages weighing from 0.1kg to 10kg and carrying fake return addresses to disguise shipments.
- Forensic work recovered packaging linked to at least 19kg of cocaine and other seized drugs, with the total conspiracy value estimated at over £2.2 million, and officers also seized encrypted phones and more than £13,000 in cash.
- GMP said the case shows how criminals exploit parcel routes and encrypted messaging, and has launched public awareness work warning against buying drugs online as it continues to target parcel-based supply networks.