Four men from Manchester have been jailed for more than 35 years for the roles they played in a “massive drugs operation” that spanned the whole of the UK.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says the four men were snared by officers under codename Operation Achilles – which is an investigation carried out by GMP’s Challenger Team into the encrypted phone network based in South Manchester.
Evidence was gathered relating to class A and class B drug transactions and supply, and money laundering, which, according to police, was not only in Manchester, but nationwide.
The four men were jailed at Manchester Crown Court yesterday.
Mark Evans was jailed for 10 years and six months for conspiracy to supply class A drugs, money laundering, and handling stolen goods, Keith Kemp was also jailed for 10 years and six months for conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs, and money laundering, John James Reilly was jailed for 12 years for the same offences as Kemp, and Caine Tanswell got two years and eight months for conspiracy to supply class B drugs and money laundering.
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GMP says the trial of the four men follows on from the “huge success” of its Operation Venetic investigations – which relates to the Encrochat mobile phone network being deciphered by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
The operation has been responsible for getting millions of pounds worth of drugs and cash of Manchester’s streets, GMP said.
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At the trial yesterday, the court heard how Mark Evans acted largely as a courier with some involvement in supplying class B drugs, and mainly travelled to Liverpool to carry out his illicit trades, as well as London and Oxford.
He was also particularly active in the Cheetham Hill and Oldham areas of Manchester.
Kemp was, at times, also a courier and was active as a main conspirator for his associates, which involved him travelling to Liverpool to drop cash off and collect drugs, as well as making deliveries in Peterborough, London, Telford, Derby, and Middlesborough.
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Reilly widely acted alone, but had connections with the rest of the group and carried out some “business” transactions, as well as sourcing class A drugs for other members of the group and acting as a middleman for various drugs and money transactions.
Tanswell also acted largely alone when purchasing drugs from another member of the group, and was charged with conspiracy to supply class B drugs and money laundering.
Four Manchester men who were part of a ‘massive drugs operation’ have been jailed for over 35 years / Credit: GMP
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Andrew Beard said: “We are absolutely thrilled with today’s result, which has seen four OCG members taken off the streets of Manchester for a considerable period of time.
“Since the Encrochat system was deciphered, GMP’s Challenger Team have continued to hunt down and identify people who have been bringing drugs onto our streets and engaging in illegal activities to keep their drug supplies going.
“If you are involved in supplying drugs, money laundering or working within an organised crime group, we will identify you, arrest you, and prosecute to the full extent of the law.
“We want to protect the people of Greater Manchester and there is no better way to do this than to get people, likes these four individuals, off the streets and behind bars.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
Soho House Manchester finally has an opening date – and we don’t have long to wait
Daisy Jackson
Soho House Manchester has finally locked in an opening date for its huge members’ club – the first in the North of England.
With a heated rooftop pool, on-site restaurant, late-night bar, and plenty of spaces perfect for networking and working, it’s been one of the biggest openings our city has seen in years.
And we’ve been waiting a while – Soho House had initially locked in 2022 for its launch into Manchester, but unavoidable delays with the building has pushed this back.
Its transformation of the historic Granada Studios building, at the gateway to the new St John’s district, has been ticking over for several years, and the site is finally almost ready to launch.
Soho House Manchester has confirmed Tuesday 25 November as its opening date, with memberships starting from £2,400 per year.
The members-only space will span across three floors of club space, as well as the rooftop and pool, taking over the upper levels of the old Granada Studios.
Members will have access to a specially curated programme of events, all year round.
Soho House at White CitySoho House Manchester. Credit: Supplied
On the eighth floor will be the main club floor, home to The Drawing Room (with a special menu for Soho House Manchester); the House Kitchen, serving classic dishes all day long; and the Pool Lounge, with morning coffees to evening House Tonics.
On the floor above will be the Club Bar, a late-night space with a dedicated bar and live DJs; and the Orange Room, a space for parties and gatherings with a backdrop of the city’s skyline.
Back down on level seven is The Studio, a space for meetings, events and parties.
Also opening later this year will be Mollie’s Motel, a stylish American-style hotel also created by Soho House.
Soho House opens in Manchester on 25 November – you can apply for a membership HERE, with prices from £2,400 per year.
If you want to know more of what Soho House Manchester will offer, head HERE.
‘Disgusting predator’ from Wythenshawe jailed for life for child rape and sex offences
Emily Sergeant
A Wythenshawe man has been jailed for life after being found guilty of several sexual offences against a child.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that the offences came to light on Sunday 28 July 2024 after the victim disclosed that she had been raped by an adult man, who has been identified as Matthew Webb from Wythenshawe, and reported it to the police with support from a family member.
An investigation was then immediately launched, and the victim agreed to be interviewed.
Supported by officers, the victim bravely disclosed further abuse she had been subjected to between the ages of 11-15 – including rape and sexually assault on ‘several’ occasions.
Webb was subsequently arrested on suspicion of rape of a female under 16 on 28 July 2024, and then on 4 August 2024, he was further arrested on suspicion of the same offence based on new evidence obtained.
During his interviews, the 34-year-old was said to be uncooperative and answered “no comment” to all questions asked.
Matthew Webb has been jailed for 28 years for child rape and sex offences / Credit: GMP
Although Webb was charged with sexual offences against a child, he denied all these charges and pleaded ‘not guilty’ at his hearing.
Throughout the investigation and his trial, police say he showed ‘no remorse’.
Following a week-long trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, Webb was found guilty by jury on one count of rape of a girl under the age of 13, one count of rape of a girl under 16 on no fewer than five occasions, three counts of rape of a girl under the age of 16, two counts of sexual assault of a girl under the age of 13 by touching, and three counts of making indecent images of a child.
Yesterday (25 September 2025) he was finally handed a 28-year jail sentence, and has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.
“Webb is a disgusting predator who though he could use a child for his own gratification with total disregard,” commented investigating officer DC Blackburn, from South Manchester’s Child Protection unit.
“I hope this sentence brings the victim a sense of justice and allows her to move on as she rebuilds her life.
Emily Sergeant -
31st January 2023 
