Latest news with #MartinJoyce
ITV News
24-04-2025
- ITV News
Drug dealer who ran from police wearing girlfriend's pink dressing gown jailed for seven years
A drug dealer who fled from police wearing nothing but his girlfriend's pink dressing gown has been jailed for seven years. Martin Joyce, 25, was filmed climbing, and falling over back garden fences as he tried to escape while trying to keep himself covered up. Joyce was head of a drug operation and flaunted his illicit wealth on Snapchat, where he used the username 'martinjoyce903 Gang Opp' and wrote boastful captions telling people to get out of bed "and make some f*****g money". Joyce ran the operation which worked around Ardwick Green Park in Manchester with his younger brother Dougie. He came to the attention of a specialist police operation set up to target crime groups operating in the city centre. The probe, codenamed Operation Vulcan, worked in collaboration with the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit to flush out the gangs from the park as well as Piccadilly Gardens. The probe found the Joyces sent out "flare messages" to more than 200 potential customers, while an undercover officer posing as a "JJ line" customer met with mountain bike-riding "runners" on at least 10 occasions and was sold crack cocaine and heroin. In May last year, the homes of the Joyces were raided by Greater Manchester Police (GMP). Drone footage showed a naked Martin Joyce's desperate attempts to escape, jumping over fences while hurriedly attempting to pull on a pink dressing gown. He was eventually apprehended and arrested by police in a nearby park. Officers seized large quantities of crack cocaine hidden in a shoe, £750 stashed in another shoes, £276 in a crisp packet, debtors lists, digital weighing scales, and multiple mobile phones. The brothers' exploited the park, which had a children's playground and pathways, to engage in the sale of drugs, which resulted in the area becoming plagued with drug users. Using phone data and cell site analysis, police were able to identify a network of drug dealers. Police also uncovered hundreds of incriminating messages and photographs relating to the sale of drugs. It was clear from the messages that the Joyces sat at the top of this conspiracy, directing vulnerable adults and young people to deliver the drugs. This group sold to drug users, rather than wholesale purchasers, often selling around £20 - £30 worth of crack cocaine and heroin at a time to users. Experts estimated the value of drugs during this period to be worth an estimated £20,000. The brothers' arrests came when over 300 officers executed 23 warrants at addresses across Greater Manchester. During the coordinated raids police seized large quantities of crack cocaine hidden inside various household items, cash, and debtors' lists, and other drugs paraphernalia such as digital weighing scales and multiple mobile phones. Martin Joyce, of Kenchester Avenue in Openshaw, was jailed for seven years while his brother, 22, of Reabrook Avenue in West Gorton, was jailed for five-and-a-half years. Over 20 other people were arrested in the probe and were jailed for a total of over 85 years. 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."
Daily Mail
23-04-2025
- Daily Mail
Moment bungling drug dealer repeatedly falls to the floor as he tries to flee police in an untied dressing gown - after being snagged by cops posing as users
A bungling drug dealer has been arrested as part of a major police operation after running away from cops while in his untied dressing gown. Footage taken by Greater Manchester Police showed hapless substance seller Martin Joyce speeding out of a door into the back garden of a home on Kenchester Avenue, eastern Manchester. He quickly skirted left, jumping over a fence with just one arm through his dressing gown, before taking a second to put it on and walk through a fence door. Joyce was then seen flipping himself over a second fence, and landing on his back, before staggering over to a third fence and flopping over that as well. The clip then cuts to him walking through a nearby wooded area before being tackled by several cops who arrested him. He was nabbed as part of GMP's Operation Vulcan, a police plan to root out drug dealers operating in Piccadilly Gardens, a plush part of central Manchester. The investigation revealed that Joyce, who was jailed for seven years for being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine, was found to have been the ringleader at the top of one major network. The network sold crack cocaine and heroin to users for around £20-30 a pop, with experts estimating they sold around £20,000 worth of material. Investigators also found that the group was exploiting teenagers to sell drugs on their behalf. After identifying them, they were able to offer diversionary and educational activities to safeguard them. The network was hit hard on May 14 last year, when around 300 cops raised dozens of addresses to execute 23 warrants. At various locations, police seized large quantities of crack cocaine hidden inside various household items, cash, and debtors' lists, and other drugs paraphernalia such as digital weighing scales and multiple mobile phones. In total, 85 years of prison time was handed to the network. On top of jail time, many of the dealers were said to have been subject to Criminal Behaviour Orders banning them from central Manchester area. If they are found to be in Piccadilly Gardens and the surrounding areas, they will be arrested. 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.'
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
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
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."
