A 'hardworking' dad with no criminal record has been jailed for his role in a prolific drug racket which flooded the streets with cocaine and heroin.
Steven Avery, 36, acted as a street dealer for an organised crime group, which was lead by career criminal Richard Southward.
Last month Southward, 41, was jailed for 15 years after the gang were busted by police, who seized £200,000 worth of drugs from his home, as well as £33,000 in cash.
The dad-of-one with no criminal record became involved with the operation after racking up his own drug debts, Minshull Street Crown Court heard, Manchester Evening News reported.
Avery had been employed as a loft fitter for all of his adult life, but after suffering a slip disc injury in 2017, it left him in 'constant pain' and unable to work.
The court heard that around December 2019, Avery offered to start dealing drugs for Southward, as his Universal Credit payments weren't enough to cover his own drug debts.
It was said that drug users would call up the 'graft phone' which was usually answered by Southward, who would then inform street dealers such as Avery where to go.
Most of the drugs, which included cocaine and heroin, were sold to customers in the Ashton-under-Lyne area, and would be supplied from a warehouse in Dukinfield known as the 'cave.'
Avery's association with the organised crime group was picked up by police using surveillance and phone evidence during their investigation, known as Operation Goma, the court heard.
Messages seized from his personal mobile phone detailed contact between the two drug lines used by the racket, prosecutor, David James told the court.
"In a message on January 4, 2020, the drugs line messaged Avery's personal phone saying 'you got some with you,' which means do you have the drugs on you," Mr James said.
"In the summer of 2020 police established a surveillance operation.
"From June 17 to August 26, Avery was seen on fifty occasions to leave his home for a short time and meet members of the public before returning home."
Almost 'daily' exchanges of items or bags between Avery and Southward were observed by police during the same time period, the court heard.
"On June 23, 2020, Avery was seen at a Shell garage topping up the drugs phone with credit," Mr James said.
"In October there was further contact between Avery and Southward. Avery sends a message saying he can’t work anymore for the sake of his family and he didn’t want to be jumped again.
"The indication was that someone attacked him in relation to the drug dealing."
Officers from Greater Manchester Police executed warrants on November 11, 2020, and Avery was arrested at his home address in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Southward was also arrested and during a search, police found various packaging methods as well as a variety of weapons including a meat cleaver, a baton, a knuckle duster and body armour.
In total, £76,000 worth of heroin; £63,000 of crack cocaine; £57,000 worth of cocaine and £25,000 worth of amphetamine were recovered, as well as £33,000 in cash.
Avery's barrister, Howard Bernstein, told the court his client was someone who 'worked hard' and who had 'always worked' before he became involved with the gang.
"He suffered an injury which was life changing for him. Two slip disks in his spine meant he couldn’t carry out the only work he had ever done," Mr Bernstein said.
"He was in constant pain for 24 hours a day and started to self medicate with cannabis and cocaine.
"When he racked up drug debts and wasn’t able to pay for them with his Universal Credit he suggested dealing for Southward.
"He is in constant pain and is someone who will be serving his sentence with a very real disability."
Avery, of Hurst Grove, Ashton, was jailed for 49 months after admitting being concerned in the supply of class A drugs, namely cocaine and heroin.
Southward, of Hurst Street, Ashton, was jailed for 15 years at Minshull Street Crown Court on May 26, this year.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs, one count of possession with intent supply Class B drugs, two counts of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and one count of being concerned in the supply of class B drugs.
Sentencing Southward, Judge Sophie McKone said: "You organised dealers to sell onto users in the streets, you did that for financial gain and sheer greed, blighting the lives of those peddling the drugs and blighting the lives of the community.
"You have no shame, you don’t care about anybody but yourself and making money and your previous prison sentences did not deter you."
Upon jailing Avery, Judge McKone said: "In December 2019 you asked your co-accused if you could become one of his drug dealers and you became a prolific drug dealer on his behalf.
"You knew what harm drugs did to people including yourself but you continued to help Southward to bring misery to the streets."
Both men will serve half their sentence in custody before being released on licence.
In a previous statement, Detective Constable, Jake Orr of GMP's Tameside Challenger Team said: "The sentence handed to Southward is another significant result in helping to disrupt the trade and distribution of drugs in the Ashton area.
"I hope it also serves as a stark reminder that GMP is continually investigating the drugs chain across Greater Manchester and will pursue all those who seek to profit from this type of criminality.
"Drugs are destructive and cast a dark shadow across entire communities.
"Both Southward and Avery were deeply ingrained into the supply chain and reaping the rewards so I'm pleased that we've been able to secure a significant conviction for Southward and remove him from our streets."
