Gang at the heart of a cocaine-dealing network are behind bars after police smashed the lucrative operation.

Wayne Coleiro (born 07/05/1971) of Bryony Close, Aaron Slaven (born 30/08/1986) of Andover Close, Cheshire, Michael Kelly (born 10/01/1973) of Bollington Road, Miles Platting, Michael Johnson (born 17/12/1981) of Pollard Square, Partington, Gary Gairns (born 30/09/1980) of Layton Street, Ancoats, Andrew McCann (born 19/08/1983) of Hillman Close, Collyhurst, Matthew Neale (born 24/02/1972) of Halton Bank, Irlam, Patrick Matthews (born 16/04/1968) of Rutland Street, Failsworth and Lee Anderson (born 13/09/1971) of Westleigh Street, Harpurhey, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs at an earlier hearing.On 25 February 2010, eight of the nine men responsible for the conspiracy were sentenced to a total of more than 40 years in prison at Minshull Street Crown Court.Coleiro was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison. Kelly was sentenced to eight years in prison.
 Johnson was sentenced to three years in prison.
 Gairns was sentenced to four years in prison.
 McCann was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison.
 Neale was sentenced to seven years in prison.
 Matthews to three-and-a-half years in prison.
 Anderson was sentenced to nine years in prison.
 In early 2009, Greater Manchester Police's Serious Crime Division launched Operation Monza to disrupt the criminal activities of the gang, who were suspected of dealing cocaine.Between January and March 2009, police surveillance teams spotted the gang going to and from Anderson's house, where they exchanged cocaine for cash.
 On 12 February 2009, police stopped Johnson and Slaven in their car and a plastic bag containing 1/4kg of cocaine - with McCann's fingerprints on it - was found in the glove box surveillance operation on 16 March 2009, McCann was caught in possession of a white package but managed to escape. The package contained a 1kg block of cocaine broken into two, and its packaging was typical of a recently imported block of cocaine. Neale and Coleiro's fingerprints were on the drugs. 

On 25 March 2009, police were watching Kelly's home in Miles Platting and spotted Anderson, Kelly and Matthews making arrangements to mix cocaine with adulterants to increase its weight and make it more profitable.

Matthews drove Kelly to buy a food blender that they were about to use to mix the drugs when police stormed the house. A 1kg block of cocaine was found in the blender and a further 1kg block of cocaine was found wrapped up on the kitchen worktop.

Forensic analysis of the drugs paraphernalia revealed the fingerprints of Gairns and Kelly.

Detective Chief Inspector John Ogdon from the Serious Crime Division, said: "Our investigation unearthed a lucrative and widespread criminal network involved in selling drugs.

"We have smashed a major drugs ring by disrupting the supply of lethal drugs onto our streets and it is very pleasing to see the main players behind bars.

"Drugs are often contributing factors in other serious crimes such as robbery and burglaries, and dealers who feed people's habits simply to line their own pockets are helping to create this misery. The members of this gang clearly did not care about this - they had no qualms about selling drugs and taking a slice of the profits.

"We targeted this ring because Greater Manchester Police is committed to clamping down on the illicit trade of drugs and I hope these sentences act as a warning to anyone who is currently involved in drug-related activity or who may be considering becoming involved in it.

"The message is clear: We are watching you and we are coming for you.

"We will continue to be proactive and robust in our approach to the possession and supply of controlled drugs."