Over a two-day hearing at Manchester Crown Square Court, which concluded on Thursday 30 July 2026, the following custodial sentences were handed to three members of the OCG. They all pleaded guilty at a previous hearing.

Warren Barnes (04/01/1988) of no fixed abode was jailed for 10 years and 6 months for two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (cocaine), two counts of being concerned in the supply of class B drugs (cannabis), one count of possession of a class A drug, one count of conspiring to produce a class B drug, one count of being concerned in the movement of money and one count of possessing criminal property.
Paul Taylor (23/03/1977) of Swinton was jailed for 5 years 3 months imprisonment for one count respectively of possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis, one count respectively of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis, one count of being concerned in the production of cannabis, one count of being concerned in the movement of money and one count of possessing criminal property.
Adam Taylor (26/11/2000) of Peel Green Road, Eccles was jailed for three years for one count respectively of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, cannabis and ketamine, one count of being concerned in the production of cannabis and one count of possession with intent to supply cannabis.
Two more people were handed suspended sentences.

On Friday 12 May 2023, officers from our Salford Challenger team executed a warrant at the home of Paul Taylor in Salford.

When challenged by officers, Taylor admitted there were drugs inside the property.

Searches uncovered 182g of cocaine, more than 3kg of cannabis, £5,000 in cash, along with scales, snap bags and other drug supply paraphernalia. The drugs seized had an estimated street value of over £45,000.

Examination of mobile phones seized during the warrant revealed Taylor was using encrypted communication platforms under the username ‘Del Boy’. Investigators identified regular contact with Barnes, who used the username ‘Pablo Picasso’ and referred to himself as a ‘cocaine artist’.

Messages showed Barnes directing Taylor to supply class A and B drugs, manage criminal finances, and provided advice regarding the operation of cannabis farms while Barnes was living abroad.

The investigation also revealed Taylor enlisted his son, Adam Taylor, to assist the organised crime group’s activities. Messages showed Adam Taylor was involved in the cultivation and maintenance of cannabis farms.

On 18 November 2023, officers stopped Adam Taylor in a vehicle in Salford. A search led to the discovery of a cannabis farm in a property.

Cannabis with an estimated value of £26,675 was seized. Analysis of Taylor’s mobile phone revealed his involvement in the supply of cocaine, cannabis and ketamine.

Barnes was arrested on 19 August 2025 after being stopped by officers in Bolton. Barnes had been wanted since February 2021 after failing to return on police bail in relation to a conspiracy to produce cannabis dating back to 2015.

Three mobile phones were seized from Barnes, including two encrypted devices. Investigators discovered that throughout the time he was wanted, Barnes had been living in Dubai, Spain and Canada while continuing to direct the organised crime group’s activities remotely.

Evidence recovered from the devices showed Barnes was responsible for orchestrating the supply of approximately 11kg of cocaine and around 159kg of cannabis.

Investigators also uncovered debtor lists, evidence of cryptocurrency transactions used to launder criminal proceeds, and images documenting his affluent lifestyle while on the run.

Police Constable Brown, of our Serious and Organised Crime Group, said: “This investigation exposed an organised crime group that relied heavily on trusted associates to facilitate the large-scale supply of illegal drugs and the laundering of criminal profits.

“Despite spending years outside the UK, Barnes continued to direct offending from abroad, believing distance and encrypted communications would protect him from law enforcement. He was wrong.

“The evidence gathered by investigators clearly demonstrated the scale of this operation and the roles played by those involved.

“Drug trafficking fuels violence, exploitation and misery within our communities. Through the dedication of officers and partner agencies, this group has now been dismantled and those responsible have been brought to justice.”

Programme Challenger is Greater Manchester’s partnership response to serious and organised crime.

Our dedicated officers are embedded in every district where they work across local communities to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, exploitation, firearms offences, and money laundering.

If you are concerned about criminal activity in your area, contact police on 101, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, via 0800 555 111.