Drug dealing duo sentenced to over seven years after plain clothed patrol catches them red-handed
Two men, Lindo Sithole and Gabriel M’bodge, were sentenced to over seven years in prison after being caught red-handed dealing drugs in Oldham. Plain-clothed officers observed a suspicious exchange between the duo and a local drug user, leading to their arrest. Subsequent searches revealed Class A drugs, cash, mobile phones, and other drug-related paraphernalia. Both men were found guilty at Manchester Crown Court.
Two men caught supplying drugs to a vulnerable woman in broad daylight on Chapman Street have been convicted of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs following a trial at Manchester Crown Court earlier this week.
Plain-clothed officers in an unmarked car spotted the transaction on Monday 16 September 2024 when a local woman, believed to be a drug user, approached a white Ford Fiesta. The vehicle sped off after the exchange, temporarily losing the surveillance team before being located by another unmarked unit. A marked police car responding to a separate incident triggered one suspect to crouch behind the vehicle in an apparent attempt to hide.
Lindo Sithole, born 18 June 1999, initially resisted arrest but was detained alongside Gabriel M’bodge, born 30 August 1999. Officers recovered suspected Class A powder, a large quantity of cash, and multiple mobile phones from the vehicle. A search of Sithole revealed four phones and bagged pound coins, while M’bodge’s property contained vehicle keys, digital scales with white powder residue, and two small phones. Class A drugs were also found in a carrier bag at Sithole’s address.
Both men declined to answer questions during police interviews. The Crown Prosecution Service proceeded with charges based on the evidence gathered during the operation.
“This is a great example of our proactive plain clothed patrols to target drug dealing in the local community,” said Police Constable Spencer Collins of GMP’s Manchester North. “We had officers in the right place at the right time to catch Sithole and M’bodge red handed providing drugs to a vulnerable local drug user. Following their arrest, relentless work was done behind the scenes to build a fuller picture of their offending and I hope this dedication and relentless work is seen by those people who think we will accept drug dealing in our local communities which brings unimaginable devastation to many people’s lives.”
Police encourage residents to report suspected drug dealing through 101 or the LiveChat function at gmp.police.uk.
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