Man ‘on the run’ after drugs and guns raid
AMAN who is believed to have fled abroad is being hunted by police in connection with firearms and drugs offences.
Michael Davis, of no fixed abode though formerly of Rochdale, is wanted by police after a haul of guns, including an assault rifle, was found hidden inside a bed during a police raid.
Three brothers have been jailed following the raid, but police are still looking for Mr Davis.
A police spokesman said: “Michael Davis, 52, of no fixed address but who previously lived in Rochdale, is wanted in connection with conspiracy to possess firearms and ammunition and the supply of class A drugs, but is believed to have fled overseas after his arrest.”
Brothers Safeer Ali, 36, Khateer Ali, 35, and Qabeer Ali, 32, were arrested after police raided a flat on Victoria Avenue in Blackley in September last year.
GMP said the flat was being used as a safe house.
Hidden in a divan bed, officers found drugs worth £38,000 and a holdall containing seven guns and ammunition.
All seven guns were forensically tested.
Police said they were subsequently linked to a number of shootings in Greater Manchester, including an incident in Levenshulme in December 2015 where a shot was fired at a house.
GMP said the gun was so powerful that a bullet passed straight through the wall of the house, although no one was injured.
Police said a gunman is believed to have targeted the wrong address.
The Ali brothers, all of Holst Avenue, Cheetham Hill, pleaded guilty to all the charges they faced and appeared before a judge at a Manchester Crown Court sentencing hearing.
Safeer Ali was jailed for nine years and six months for conspiracy to possess a firearm and ammunition.
Qabeer Ali and Khateer Ali admitted supplying drugs.
Qabeer was sentenced to six years and Khateer to four and a half years in prison.
Detective Constable Robert Ashurst said: “This was an extremely complex investigation with many intricate layers that took officers countless hours to examine.
“Thankfully, we’ve been able to bring a stop to the Ali brothers who posed a significant risk to the community.”