Inside flat where family ‘who thought they were untouchable’ ran drug empire

Nearly a dozen members of a family-run drugs empire have been sent down after their meth operation in a Greater Manchester flat was busted by cops.

The gang leaders brazenly kept their Breaking Bad-style operation going even after two of them had been arrested when they were found with a gun and a huge wad of cash, reports the Manchester Evening News.

At the heart of the business was James Mulligan, who ran the show with the help of his dad and brother – Brian Mulligan Snr and Brian Mulligan Jnr. Another member of the gang nicknamed “Grandma” – 72-year-old Sheila Mason – was in control of a stash house in Droylsden.

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They were unaware that Serious Organised Crime Group detectives were watching them, and in 2021 cops made a number of arrests as members of the gang were caught carrying drugs and firearms.

On April 28 that year, David Keenan and James Mulligan were stopped by armed police on their way back from Liverpool. Officers found a handgun in the glove compartment, about £25,000 in cash and a couple of burner phones.

But when the pair were released pending further inquiries, they went back to their business undeterred. It seems they either thought they were in the clear or thought it was worth the risk to make as much money as possible even though they could be caught.

From May, a surveillance operation was underway, and over the next few months police arrested and monitored various members of the gang, with several batches of heroin seized.

By the time the operation was complete, heroin with a street value of £217,000 and amphetamine with an estimated yield of £455,000 was found. A meth lab in their flat also had drums of chemicals, hazmat suits, cash and a whole bunch of drug-production paraphernalia.

· James Mulligan, 30, of Hillside Close, Hyde, was jailed for 11 years and seven months. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs; and conspiracy to possess a firearm. He was found not guilty of conspiracy to possess ammunition.

· David Keenan, 44, of Turner Street, Bacup, was jailed for 10 years and eight months after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs; and conspiracy to possess a firearm.

· Damian Batty, 47, of Crawford St, Ashton Under Lyne, was jailed for seven years after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.

· Sibu Ngema, 46, of Bridge Road, Wrexham, was jailed for six years and one month. He pleaded guilty to supply class A and B drugs.

· Richard Braisdell, 52, of Llaner Y Mor, Gwyned, was handed a community order after pleading guilty to assisting an organised crime group.

· Michael Woodhouse, 36, of Pendleton Green, Halewood, Liverpool, was jailed for four years and three months after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.

· Sheila Mason, 72, of Baguley Street, Droylsden, was handed a community order after pleading guilty to assisting an organised crime group.

· Brian Mulligan Jr, 33, of Claymore Street, Manchester, was jailed for seven years and two months for offences of conspiracy to produce amphetamine; and conspiracy to supply heroin.

· Brian Mulligan Snr, 54, of Tree House Avenue, Tameside, was jailed for four years and six months for conspiracy to supply heroin.

· Tony McGoff, 28, of Kingswood Road, Middleton, was jailed for 32 months, for possession of cannabis and conspiracy to produce amphetamine.

· Lee Hamlet-Clorley, 24, of Stainton Avenue, Manchester, was jailed for five years and four months for conspiracy to supply heroin.

· Gary Holtham, 57, of Inverness Road, Dukinfield, was jailed for 18 months for participating in activities of an organised crime group.

· Christopher Thornton, 22, of no fixed abode was jailed for four-and-a-half years for conspiracy to supply heroin.

· Katrina Barton, 60, of Elton St West, Wallsend, Newcastle, who failed to attend court will be sentenced at a later hearing.

After the case, Detective Inspector Justin Bryant said: “This gang thought they were untouchable. They only cared about lining their pockets.”

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