Cocaine in a shoe, cash in a crisp packet and a runaway boss in a pink dressing gown - inside 'JJ' drugs gang as brothers' empire smashed

Yahoo

23-04-2025

Members of a Manchester drugs gang are behind bars after being busted by undercover cops. An officer posing as a customer made repeated calls to the 'JJ' line, run by brothers Martin Joyce and Dougie Joyce.
He met with two mountain bike-riding 'runners' at Ardwick Green Park on at least 10 occasions and was sold crack cocaine and heroin.
Police later discovered 'flare' messages had been sent to more than 200 potential customers. The group was also found to have exploited two teenagers.
One of them was sent a picture on Snapchat from Martin Joyce - who had the username 'martinjoyce903 Gang Opp' - with cash spread out on a bed.
"All of you bombs get out of bed and make some f*****g money," the caption read. Analysis of phone and cell site data revealed a network of dealers.
In May last year, officers raided the homes of the Joyce brothers, along with 'runners' Thomas Hulme, Mark Togher and Dean Graham. They were the final five of 22 to be dealt with at Manchester Crown Court following a mammoth police operation.
Prosecutor Henry Blackshaw said the crimes of the five defendants spanned a three-month period between February and May last year.
Two teenagers were identified, but action against them was dropped due to 'clear evidence they were being exploited'.
In one message, Hulme, 19, threatened one of the teenagers, saying: "Get the f*** up now bro u want me to come and punch u up trying to take the p*** u d*** ed [sic]."
Following the launch of GMP's Operation Vulcan in Piccadilly Gardens - targeting Class A drug dealing - officers shifted their focus to Ardwick Green Park.
"Apart from Piccadilly Gardens having an issue with the supply of class A drugs, Ardwick Green Park - which is meant to be a local community resource, including a children's play area - also suffered from the same issue with the surrounding anti-social behaviour because it had become a hotspot for the supply of the most addictive class A drugs," Mr Blackshaw said.
"This team were detected when [the undercover officer] saw a piece of paper in a telephone box with two different mobile phone numbers in association with 'JJ', which was the trading name for this drug dealing team and their associated telephone lines."
Officers contact the number on 10 occasions. That led to Togher, 37, and Hulme being identified. The operation was later found to be based at the Joyce's family home, which was also being used as a supply HQ.
Martin Joyce, 25, was be head of the organisation, assisted by 22-year-old brother Dougie. When police made their move at the home of Martin Joyce's girlfriend, he fled in a pink dressing gown.
Drone footage video shows his desperate attempt to escape, jumping over fences while barely clothed before being arrested.
Office seized large quantities of crack cocaine hidden in a shoed; £750 stashed in another shoes; £276 put in a crisp packet; debtors lists; digital weighing scales; and multiple mobile phones.
At another property, Hulme was seen throwing phones from a window. They were later linked to the 'JJ' line.
Sentencing them, Judge Alan Conrad KC said: "During the years I have served, Piccadilly Gardens in particular has sadly become an area known to be rife in crime as a result of drug dealing and linked offences. Dealing in drugs, particularly class A drugs, results in misery and degradation."
Mitigating for the Joyce brothers, Tom Lord said they had expressed 'regret and remorse'.
Martin Joyce, 25, of Kenchester Avenue, Openshaw, was jailed for seven years for being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.
Dougie Joyce, 22, of Reabrook Avenue, West Gorton, was jailed for five-and-a-half years for being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.
Hulme, 19, of no fixed abode, was detained for three years and three months in a young offender institution for being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.
Mark Togher, 37, of Hartwell Close, Beswick, jailed for three years and six months for being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine.
Mitigating for Graham, 43, Betsy Hindle said he was 'extremely vulnerable' due to alcohol misuse, which would often lead to drug use. The 43-year-old, of Hartwell Close, Openshaw, was made the subject of a two-year community order; and ordered to take part in 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days and an alcohol treatment programme.
A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing was listed for September 9 where prosecutors will attempt to claw back cash.
Detective Sergeant Matt Donnelly, who led the undercover operation, said: "From day one, we said we would do whatever it takes to drive out crime from Piccadilly Gardens, and this operation shows just that.
"This was a well-resourced and high stakes investigation to tackle the drugs trade in Piccadilly Gardens and the surrounding areas which was causing a nuisance to local businesses, residents, and those visiting our city. Its success was crucial to our overall aim of improving Piccadilly Gardens, and as a result of this operation, we're confident that we have made an impact on the supply chain by securing these convictions.
"In order to ensure no other criminals could creep back in and fill this void, our regular patrols of the area have ramped up to provide a constant visible presence in the area, deterring criminals from thinking Piccadilly Gardens is a good place for their illicit business."