Court date set for 10 men accused of hard drugs supply in Wigan

Police raids were conducted across Wigan, Leigh, Ashton, Bolton and Salford in July, resulting in the arrests of 17 people accused of being part of a sophisticated organised crime network which made mountains of cash by peddling cocaine and heroin to vulnerable people.

Those arrests led to serious charges being levelled against 10 people, eight of whom reside in the borough. The accused have already appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court to face allegations of supplying Class A drugs, firearms offences and even conspiracy to commit murder.

Callum Morris, 29, of Carr Bank Crescent, Atherton is charged with conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug - cocaine, and conspiracy to handle criminal property.

James Close, 36, of Henry Street, Leigh is charged with conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life/enable another to so, conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to supply cocaine,and conspiracy to handle criminal property.

Craig Makinson, 45, of Springpool, Winstanley is charged with conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life/enable another to do so, conspiracy to possess ammunition with intent to endanger life, conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine, conspiracy to supply a class B controlled drug - amphetamine, and conspiracy to handle criminal property.

Andrew Ackers, 34, of Benjamin Road, Standish, has been charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine, and conspiracy to handle criminal property.

James Connor, 40, of James Street, Atherton has been charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and amphetamine.

John Moore, 38, of Selwyn Street, Leigh, has been charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine, and conspiracy to handle criminal property.

John Westwood, 38, of Carders Close, Leigh has been charged conspiracy to supply a class A controlled drug, and conspiracy to handle criminal property.

Scott Davies, 31, of Bolton Road, Wigan has been charged with conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine.

Kyle Charlton, 24, of Wildbrook Road, Little Hulton has been charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine, and conspiracy to handle criminal property.

Jordan Edge, 24, of Carrfield Avenue, Little Hulton has been charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine, and conspiracy to handle criminal property.

Two women aged 50 and 35 and five men aged 60, 35, 34, 29 and 50, were released under investigation.

A Manchester Crown Court judge has now set a date for the defendants’ case management hearings. They will take place on November 20.

A provisional trial date has been fixed for January 18.