On Wednesday 5 February 2020, police executed a warrant at a property on Chinley Avenue, Moston.
As officers entered the property, Brendan Vinter (03/06/00) tried to escape though the back door. An officer pursued him on foot and found a loaded firearm and a pillowcase containing ammunition. A short time later, officers found Vinter hiding in an upstairs wardrobe of a property on nearby Edale Avenue – the property was unlocked, the occupant had no idea that he was inside and they did not know him.
Vinter was arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm and taken into police custody for questioning, during which he answered no comment to all questions asked.
A search of the property on Chinley Avenue found that, as police executed the warrant, Vinter had been in the process of putting brown powder and white rocks into small plastic bags. The substances were seized and, during forensic examination, were found to be heroin and crack cocaine with an estimated street value of £4500.
Vinter was subsequently charged and pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, possession of a bladed article and possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
Today (Thursday 23 April 2020), Vinter was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to six years imprisonment.
DC James Donnelly, of GMP’s Operation Challenger within the City of Manchester Division, said: “By possessing a firearm and being involved in the supply of drugs, Vinter was putting members of the public across Greater Manchester at risk.
“GMP will not allow offenders to put communities in danger and that is why specialist teams like Challenger, which is dedicated to tackling serious and organised crime, are such a valuable resource for the force.
“I hope today’s result reassures the public that GMP is constantly working behind the scenes to identify those involved in criminal activity and disrupt them – ultimately bringing them to face justice.”
