Organised Crime Gang weeded out as ten jailed for a combined 32 years

Ten members of an organised crime gang, including a woman from Failsworth, have been jailed following an investigation into the large-scale importation and supply of cannabis worth more than £19 million.

The group were often referred to as ‘Cali weed’ facilitated the import of cannabis from north America, with officers linking at least 28 separate importations between December 2022 and January 2024. 

The operation relied on cover stories, with drugs concealed inside shipments declared as vintage clothing and distributed through a network of illegitimate companies and a web of lies. 

Intelligence-led work by police and the UK Border Force identified suspicious freight movements, ultimately leading to the interception of multiple shipments at UK ports. 

Five shipments were seized before reaching their destination, with nearly 130kg of cannabis recovered. The seized drugs were estimated to have a potential street value of up to £3.7 million. Officers believe the total quantity brought into the UK by the gang could have generated as much as £19.3 million. 

Dean Hussain (26) of No Fixed Address was found guilty of conspiracy to import a drug subject of a temporary class order with intent to evade a prohibition/restriction and has been jailed for six years and nine months. 

Prince Oyewo (27) of Dumbarton Drive, Heywood, was found guilty of conspiracy to import a drug subject of a temporary class order with intent to evade a prohibition/restriction and has been jailed for five years and 10 months. 

Beverley Tsimba (25) of Lewis Drive, Rochdale, was found guilty of conspiracy to import a drug subject of a temporary class order with intent to evade a prohibition/restriction and has been jailed for five years and two months. 

 Elliot McBurnie (25) of Claymere Avenue, Rochdale, was found guilty of conspiracy to import a drug subject of a temporary class order with intent to evade a prohibition/restriction and has been jailed for four years and six months. 

Junyad Ahmed (34) of Sladen Street, Rochdale, was found guilty of conspiracy to import a drug subject of a temporary class order with intent to evade a prohibition/restriction and has been jailed for two years suspended for two years. 

Marshall Howarth (21) of Darley Road, Rochdale, was found guilty of conspiracy to import a drug subject of a temporary class order with intent to evade a prohibition/restriction and has been jailed for 17 months suspended for two years. 

Leigha Collins (22) of Brookdale Street, Failsworth, was found guilty of conspiracy to import a drug subject of a temporary class order with intent to evade a prohibition/restriction and has been jailed for 18 months suspended for two years. 

Ryan Brosnan (26) of Cavendish Road, Rochdale was found guilty of conspiracy to import a drug subject of a temporary class order with intent to evade a prohibition/restriction and being concerned in the supply of a Class B drugs has been jailed for 22 months suspended for two years. 

Tyler McNally (21) of Moorside, Rochdale was found guilty of conspiracy to import a drug subject of a temporary class order with intent to evade a prohibition/restriction and has been jailed for 18 months suspended for two years. 

Louis Dissington (22) of Moorside, Rochdale, was found guilty of conspiracy to import a drug subject of a temporary class order with intent to evade a prohibition/restriction and being concerned in the supply of a Class B drugs has been jailed for 22 month suspended for two years. 

Hussain was identified as the leader and driving force behind the conspiracy. He organised shipments, set up fake companies using false identities, coordinated payments and deliveries, and maintained control of the network. Evidence showed he directed others and orchestrated the operation on a commercial scale for significant financial gain. 

Oyewo played a significant supporting role, assisting with payments for shipping and rent on premises used in the operation. He acted at the direction of Hussain and allowed his bank account to be used, receiving payments in return for facilitating key logistical elements of the conspiracy. 

Tsimba was involved in both the importation scheme and the street-level supply of cannabis. He made payments for shipments, recruited other gang members to help with selling the drugs, and attempted to disguise financial activity. 

McBurnie helped coordinate deliveries and paid shipping and customs fees. He received packages and arranged delivery locations, his main involvement was to ensure shipments reached their intended destination. 

Ahmed provided business premises used as delivery points for shipments and communicated with logistics companies. He facilitated the receipt of parcels and used legitimate businesses to be used to support the importation of the cannabis for a substantial fee. 

Howarth paid shipping costs for several packages and established a company used to facilitate importation. He was recruited into the gang, and his involvement grew through financial transactions for ‘Cali weed’ and provided business registration services. 

Collins assisted by transferring money between accounts and attempting to set up companies used in the importation process. Acting under direction - she provided admin for the gang – being the one who facilitated payments. 

Brosnan assisted with payments for shipments and allowed his name to be used on shipping documents. He also played a role in the distribution of cannabis, with drugs found at his address, which highlighted his involvement in the street supply of the cannabis for the gang. 

McNally also made payments for shipments using funds provided by other members and allowed his details to be used in setting up a company connected to the conspiracy. 

Dissington, like many of the gang, paid for shipments to be delivered and was involved in the street-level supply of cannabis. Evidence showed he worked with others in drug distribution and held quantities of drugs and equipment for the gang. 

Detective Constable Peter Martin from our Serious and Organised Crime Group said: “This was a highly organised and sophisticated criminal network operating on a large scale, importing huge quantities of cannabis into the country. 

“The gang went to considerable lengths to disguise their activity. They created fake businesses, used stolen or borrowed identities, and attempted to make their shipments appear as ordinary as they possibly could, disguising their trade under the banner of buying vintage clothing. Where in reality, these shipments contained significant quantities of illegal drugs destined for distribution across our communities. 

“This investigation demonstrates the strength of joint working between policing and UK Border Force, enabling us to identify, intercept and dismantle a complex importation network. 

“The sentence reflects the seriousness of these offences. Organised drug supply fuels wider criminality and causes significant harm to not just our communities in Greater Manchester, but communities across the country. 

“We remain committed to targeting those involved at every level — from those directing operations to those who assist in carrying them out. Our message is clear: we will continue to pursue organised crime groups relentlessly and bring those responsible to justice.”