Jail for 'business-like well dressed drug dealer'

A man who was involved in selling high purity cocaine in Manchester city centre has been jailed.

Gentjan Baro, 28, was also found guilty of possession of a firearm and was sentenced to seven years in prison yesterday at Manchester Crown Court.

He is the last man of 20 who have been jailed as part of an covert operation lasting several months.

In 2014, Greater Manchester Police began an covert operation to stem the increasing problem of cocaine use and supply in Manchester city centre.

The operation culminated in a series of dawn raids in February 2015 at 17 addresses across North and South Manchester, Salford, Trafford and North Wales.

A total of 24 people were arrested for drugs, immigration, firearms and false document offences. Drugs with an estimated value of £130,000 were recovered, £74,000 in cash, two firearms, ammunition, a magazine and silencer.

A small number of people were arrested over the following months including one man who was spotted by covert police officers having a cigarette outside a city centre nightclub. Today marks the last of the 20 people to be jailed as part of the operation which brings the total to over 75 years imprisonment between them.

Detective Inspector Tony Norman from Challenger Manchester said: