Gangster who used St Helens woman to deliver guns is jailed

Tareanio Blake, 31, of Peakdale Avenue, Crumpsall was jailed at Manchester Crown Court after being found guilty of conspiracy to sell/transfer prohibited weapons, conspiracy to supply cocaine, conspiracy to supply heroin and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

In total, the gang have been jailed for almost 50 years for their roles in criminal activity spanning across Greater Manchester and the North West – including the supply of heroin, cocaine, and firearms.

The other three members of the group were sentenced in June 2022 and December 2022 after pleading guilty to their offences. 

Mohammed Shahid, 31, of Wilton Road, Crumpsall was jailed for 12 years nine months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to sell/transfer firearms, conspiracy to supply cocaine, and conspiracy to supply heroin

Ali Hamza, 24, of Whiston Road, Crumpsall was jailed for nine years after pleading guilty to possession of prohibited weapons (two firearms), conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin

Holly Caldwell, 28, of King Edward Road, St Helens, was jailed for seven years after pleading guilty to possession of prohibited weapons (six firearms), conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin.

Holly Caldwell (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Caldwell met Blake in a nightclub where she was working as a hostess. The pair entered into a relationship and she was soon delivering drugs for the Cheetham Hill gang he was a member of. 

On one occasion she was asked to drive to Luton to deliver a package which turned out to be six guns and 180 rounds of ammunition. 

At the forefront of the investigation was the use of encrypted mobile phones, which falls under Operation Venetic, the UK’s response to disrupt the encrypted communication system used by organised criminal networks. Operation Venetic is led by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and is the UK’s largest operation to fight organised crime.

The technology behind these devices previously made it impossible for police to obtain any data or evidence from the devices. Unfortunately for this group, the disruption of Encro chat allowed officers to access the encrypted data which has resulted in the conviction of Blake, Shahid, Hamza, and Caldwell.

The encrypted messages detailed their entire operation, leading specialist GMP anti-gang detectives to their doorsteps. From purchasing and supplying crack cocaine and heroin to couriering firearms to customers across the region, officers had a detailed timeline of events to put this group behind bars.

As the complex investigation was coming to an end, a series of warrants gave officers evidence which corroborated the groups text messages and movements.

At two properties in Cheetham Hill, police discovered over £38,000 of cash, a loaded firearm, and over 260 wraps of class A drugs. Officers also discovered drugs paraphernalia consistent with a large-scale drug operation, including unused snap bags, tin foil, and scales bearing residues identified as cocaine and cannabis.  

On Thursday, December 10 2022, Blake and Caldwell were arrested whilst out conducting their daily business. A search of their vehicle recovered three mobile phones, £295, and a kinder egg which was concealing wraps of crack cocaine and heroin.

On Friday, December 11 2020 officers arrested Mohammed Shahid at his home address. A subsequent search revealed more drugs paraphernalia and eight mobile phones.

On Friday 15 January 2021, officers arrested Ali Hamza at his home address. Found in a bedroom drawer was almost £17,000 cash. Officers also discovered a number of phones, sim cards and receipts detailing money transfers of over £7,000 to an account in Pakistan.

One of the guns transported by St Helens woman Holly Caldwell (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Detective Inspector Roger Smethurst of GMP’s Serious Organised Crime Group said: “This type of organised criminality will not be tolerated in our communities, and we are determined to continue to send a strong message to those involved in this incredibly dangerous and damaging trade that we will continue to pursue you and bring you to justice.

“The severity of these offences should not be underestimated, and the quantities of drugs and weapons we are talking about here are beyond substantial. The removal of these individuals will have a discernible difference on the streets of Greater Manchester.

“Intelligence from members of the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I would encourage anyone with concerns to report any suspicious activity. This helps us successfully shatter established criminal networks and deprive them of their assets.”

Anyone with information or concerns should report to police online, if able, at www.gmp.police.uk or via 101. Always call 999 in an emergency.

Details can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.