An international crime boss from Trafford who lived a ‘life of luxury’ has been jailed for 37 years after being brought down by Greater Manchester Police.
Aram Sheibani was described as a “calculated, deceitful and scheming” individual who funded his £5 million property estate, collection of classic cars and yacht parties through drug dealing and fraud.
But the crime boss was taken down when police raided one of his opulent homes in Altrincham in 2019 – with officers finding thousands in cash, safety deposit keys, crypto currency recovery codes, cocaine, and two mobile phones with military grade encryption.
Two devices were smashed and submerged down the toilet in an attempt by Sheibani to destroy evidence.
Sheibani lived a life of luxury – but was brought down by police during a series of raids / Image: GMP
During further raids of Sheibani’s other properties, police found cash counting machines, encrypted USBs, and a ‘substantial amount’ of drugs including cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy.
ADVERTISEMENT
Two Bentleys, a gull wing Mercedes and a Porsche were recovered, as well as a number of original artwork pieces – including those by artists such as Banksy and Andy Warhol – which were later found to be obtained through illegitimate means.
The warrants led to the discovery of £1.2 million of cash and £1.5 million in crypto currency overall.
ADVERTISEMENT
Police found £1.2 million in cash after raiding Sheibani’s properties / Image: GMP
Sheibani dedicated time to covering his tracks by purchasing, re-mortgaging and selling properties in the UK and Spain – attempting to ‘complicate and frustrate law enforcement’ with regards to understanding his income.
He also obtained properties by fraud – masquerading as a legitimate businessman whilst falsifying his earnings to facilitate further borrowing.
Sheibani failed to file tax returns or declare income during some financial years, and produced forged documents and bank statements to support his false declared earnings.
ADVERTISEMENT
During interrogation, he failed to provide pins and passwords for encrypted electronic devices and iron key USB – behaviour for which he was given an additional three years in jail.
Sheibani was sentenced to 37 years in jail for his criminal activities / Image: GMP
Sentencing Sheibani at Manchester Crown Square Crown Court for 20 fraud, money laundering and drug offences, Judge Anthony Cross QC told the 40-year-old that his “greed knew no boundaries.”
Sergeant Lucy Pearson, of GMP’s Economic Crime Unit, called Sheibani a “dishonest individual who has not shown any remorse for his actions throughout this entire investigation, refusing to co-operate with police and attempting to destroy evidence.”
She added: “The extent of Sheibani’s criminality should not be underestimated, not only is he involved in tax evasion and money laundering which has a detrimental effect on the economy and society, resulting in honest tax payers feeling that burden, but the source of his tainted income is as a result of a class A drugs conspiracy.
“May today’s sentencing serve as a warning to anyone thinking they can get away with such fraudulent and criminal activity, we will find you, and ensure that you face the full consequences of your actions.”
Price caps and standardisations to be introduced for vet care in UK following major investigation
Emily Sergeant
Reforms to the veterinary industry to help pet owners better navigate the vet services market are set to be introduced this year.
After an independent inquiry group recently found that the current system is leaving pet owners ‘in the dark’, with a lack of information to help make informed decisions leading to weak competition and high prices, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has this week concluded its investigation into veterinary services for household pets in the UK.
The final report green-lights a package of measures to make the market more competitive, easier to navigate, and more responsive to pet owners’ needs.
It outlines the final remedies and recommendations, which together, will transform the market.
Remedies and recommendations in the report range from price caps and standardisations, through to upfront cost transparency.
We’ve set out major reforms to the UK’s veterinary sector now our market investigation is complete.
Our reforms will help pet owners better navigate the vet services market and will start coming into force later this year.
— Competition & Markets Authority (@CMAgovUK) March 24, 2026
Practices will soon be required to publish a comprehensive price list for standard services – including consultations, common procedures, diagnostics, written prescriptions and cremation options – so pet owners know up-front how much certain services are expected to cost.
They’ll also have to make it clear whether they are part of a group or an independent business, and provide a written estimate in advance for any treatment expected to cost £500 or more (including aftercare costs), plus an itemised bill.
Written prescription fees are set to be capped at £21 for the first medicine, and then £12.50 for any additional medicines.
Price caps and standardisations are set to be introduced for vet care in UK / Credit: Pxhere
There’s also set to be changes to the complaints process, as practices will now be required to follow a transparent, accessible, in-house complaints process, and engage in mediation where disputes cannot be resolved.
The CMA says an ‘unprecedented’ response from both the public and the sector has helped to shape the final report.
The next step is for the Government to respond to the report formally – with Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, commenting: “We are grateful for all the work of the Competition and Markets Authority, and we will respond to the report and set out next steps for our proposed reforms in due course.
“This Government is focused on helping families save money on vet services by improving transparency and choice around pricing, so the public can make informed decisions about their pets’ care.”
Featured Image – Pxhere
News
Police release footage of Manchester burglar who tried to evade arrest by hiding under a bed
Emily Sergeant
Police have released unseen footage of a Manchester burglar who tried to evade arrest and justice by hiding under a bed.
David Dale Thompson, of no fixed abode, appeared at Manchester Crown Court last week (18 March) where he was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of residential burglary at an earlier hearing.
The 43-year-old was caught early last year (15 January 2025) following proactive patrols by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) neighbourhood officers across Rusholme and Moss Side, who were in the area due to a high number of reports of burglaries in the weeks prior.
While on patrol, police spotted Thompson ‘acting suspiciously’ while riding a bike just before 5pm, and once officer subsequently followed him to a property on Boscombe Street, before calling for more officers to attend.
After gaining entry to the address, officers suspected something was wrong when they entered one of the rooms, and after lifting up the bed, they found Thompson hiding in the storage compartment attempting to evade arrest.
GMP has now released footage of the moment Thompson was caught.
Speaking following Thompson’s sentencing last week, Detective Inspector Natalie McDonald, of GMP’s Manchester Central Neighbourhood Crime Team, said: “This was a fantastic example of proactive policing, which has resulted in a serial offender now behind bars.
“We know how devastating a burglary in your own home can be and this shows our commitment to tackling them head on.
“If you have any information or concerns about neighbourhood crime in your area, make sure you speak to us. In the meantime, we have officers on regular patrols in areas that need us the most.”
The Manc -
11th June 2021 
