A drug dealer was recently caught in south Manchester following a raid by the police at his home that unearthed cocaine and cash. He was sentenced to four years and five months.
The arrested, identified as Yasir Ali, was found alone in his bedroom, trying to use his phone, when the officers stormed into the property on Meade Grove in Longsight.
Ali, 25, was arrested after the officers found scrunched-up cash in his pocket, besides sealed plastic bags containing a class A drug, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) reported.
According to the police, the raid at the property led to recovery of hidden cash worth £11,570. They were found from underneath a wardrobe in the attic; drawers in the bedroom; and a couple of pockets from a tracksuit top and three mobile phones.
The warrant took place on July 7 this year and was executed by the GMP's City of Manchester central challenger team.
When he was interrogated by detectives, Ali continued to utter "no comment" and was charged with possession with intent to supply cocaine and possessing criminal property.
At an earlier hearing, he pleaded guilty to the offences and was sent to four years and five months at Manchester Crown Court on December 13.
Detective constable Paul Elkin from the City of Manchester central challenger team said, "The information that we had on Ali was certainly evidenced when we seized the drugs and cash he had in his possession and was strengthened further following the search of the property.
"The data on his devices were also analysed where we found further evidence of drugs being supplied, which we used to convict him.
"It meant that ultimately Ali had no other choice but to plead guilty to the offences that we know ruin vulnerable people’s lives and can so often bring with it a high level of risk and harm to our community."
If one has any information related to drug activity, he/she is requested to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or dial GMP on 101.
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)