On Wednesday 10 January 2024, Balraj Maan (16/08/1998) of Wolverhampton St, Walsall was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to seven years in prison for numerous drug related offences, possessing a firearm and bladed article. The investigation, led by Operation Vulcan officers, was initiated on Saturday 4 March 2023, when two officers observed a Silver Vauxhall Astra on Overbridge Road, Salford, accompanied by another vehicle acting suspiciously. Officers followed both vehicles which were seen entering Harris Street from Overbridge Road and continuing to Dewhurst Street. The officers maintained visual contact with Maan's vehicle for approximately 25 seconds until it eventually came to a stop at the bottom of Dewhurst Street. Upon interaction with Maan and two males from the other vehicle, it was evident that a prior altercation had occurred between them, stemming from a minor road traffic collision and Maan's failure to stop for exchanging details after the collision. Given Maan's history involving weapons and drug supply identified, combined with the visible cash in the vehicle, officers, utilising powers under the Misuse of Drugs Act, conducted a thorough search. Maan was then arrested for failure to stop, and after a more thorough search, further arrested for possession of Class A and Class B drugs on the scene. Further examination of a black bag seized from the vehicle revealed two bank cards, a student ID, a significant amount of cash, and four snap bags of cannabis, along with two mobile phones. Forensic testing of a powder found in the vehicle confirmed it to be positive for cocaine. A subsequent search uncovered additional wraps of suspected Class A drugs, totalling 12 grams. Analysis of a mobile burner phone-exhibit exposed evidence of numerous drug transactions carried out by Maan, involving hundreds of street deals per week leading up to his arrest. Maan faced charges related to offenses committed in Manchester and Wolverhampton. He was sentenced for possession of Class A (Crack Cocaine) with intent to supply and possession of Class B (Cannabis) with intent to supply in Manchester. In addition, Maan was sentenced for offenses in Wolverhampton dating back to July 2019, including possession of a bladed article, possession of a firearm, and possession of Class A drugs (Cocaine and Heroin) with intent to supply. Balraj Maan received a total of seven years in prison for these offenses. Detective Constable Matthew Bowling of GMP’s Operation Vulcan Team said: “We are extremely pleased that the courts have given Maan a significant custodial sentence for his actions. I truly hope he now reflects on his criminal lifestyle and is willing to change his ways with support from the prison service and probation.Be assured Operation Vulcan are watching, waiting and ready to act on drug-dealers like Maan, who bring misery and criminality to the Cheetham Hill area. Today’s sentence makes it crystal clear that criminal behaviour will lead you to one place, and one place only, prison.” If you are concerned about criminal activity in your area or have any information, you can report this to GMP directly by calling 101 or report online at www.gmp.police.uk Alternatively, you can report information to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
