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Two Dealers Behind £500K Wigan Drug Ring Sentenced

The investigation concluded with prison sentences after mobile phone forensics exposed concealed stashes.

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Overview

  • Christopher Atkinson was sentenced to seven years and four months; Carolyn Knowles received five years after pleading guilty to conspiring to supply class A, B and C drugs.
  • Greater Manchester Police’s Wigan Challenger team launched the probe following public tip-offs in 2021 that prompted warrants at addresses in Newton, Wigan, and Skelmersdale.
  • Officers executing warrants in August and September 2021 uncovered locked toolboxes, a digital safe and mobile phones containing cocaine, MDMA, ketamine, cannabis and mixing agents.
  • Analysis of seized messages showed the suspects used designer-branded packaging, including Dior, to conceal and distribute drugs across Wigan.
  • Authorities estimate the network’s street value at £493,277 to £647,208 and credited community reporting and Crimestoppers with helping to dismantle the operation.