Seven individuals involved in a drug syndicate orchestrated by Thomas Campbell until his murder in 2022 have received sentences for their roles in a scheme worth £1.6 million to distribute class A narcotics in northern Manchester and Tameside.
Following Thomas Campbell’s demise at his residence in Mossley, Tameside, in 2022, his brother, Lee Campbell, assumed control of the criminal organization’s activities, as disclosed by prosecutor Emma Swindel at Manchester Crown Court.
Authorities uncovered a “graft line,” a designated phone number used for drug transactions, which led to the apprehension of other gang members. They were found to have trafficked 16.5 kilograms of class A drugs between March 14, 2024, and January 30, 2025, according to reports from Manchester Evening News.
In court, it was revealed that Lee Campbell had a history of 11 prior convictions for 18 offenses, including a previous incarceration of three years and nine months for robbery, and a four-year sentence in 2015 for cocaine possession with intent to distribute.
Addressing Lee Campbell, the judge remarked, “You played a significant role in this operation. It was primarily a profit-driven enterprise involving numerous individuals and a substantial volume of drugs.”
All seven defendants admitted guilt to the charge of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. Lee Campbell, aged 43 and residing in Lightfoot Walk in Beswick, east Manchester, was sentenced to nine years and four months in prison.
Other sentences included Kelly Bundell, 37, of North Road in Clayton, east Manchester, receiving a two-year and eight-month sentence, while Mark McGrath, 41, of Heather Street in Clayton, also received the same sentence length.
Stephen Quinn, 57, of Edge Lane in Droylsden, was handed a three-year and four-month jail term. Mark Salinger, 23, of Ladylands Avenue in Clayton, was given a two-year suspended sentence.
Paul Taylor, 42, of Gleneagles Avenue in Clayton, received a two-year and eight-month sentence. Carlo Tommasello, 38, of Droylsden Wharf Road in Droylsden, was sentenced to four years and four months in prison.
