Two drug dealers have been sentenced after a large amount of drugs and cash were found at a borough home.

At around 5.40pm on January 3, 2021, police stopped a vehicle after they had information it was linked with criminal activity, Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

Thomas Coffey, 56, of South Radford Street, Salford, was driving the vehicle and complied with police, stopping and handing the keys to the officer.

Read more: Radcliffe, Water Street accidents cause for concern

The court was told police noticed he was acting suspiciously, and he had a burner phone and dilated pupils, so officers decided to search the car where they found four rocks of cocaine.

Coffey was arrested on suspicion of intent to supply drugs and driving with no insurance.

He told officers he was staying at Halliwell Road in Prestwich where Paul Glasgow, 57, lives and police went to search the house.

When police arrived, they found Glasgow and he told them Coffey was staying at the home, sleeping on the sofa.

Police also found large amounts of cash, a hydraulic press used to prepare cocaine, 123.7 grams of cocaine, 135 grams of amphetamine, a large amount of white powder in the kitchen, a number of air weapons and a dried-up cannabis farm in the loft from an old grow.

Glasgow told police that the cash and the hydraulic press belonged to Coffey and officers found that drugs had tried to be disposed of down the toilet when they arrived.

Read more: Body recovered from River Roch after welfare concern in Bury

Phone records showed there was a hierarchy where Glasgow reported to Coffey and the latter then acted as a courier for others, the court heard.

In police interviews, they both gave no comment.

Helen Longworth, defending Glasgow, said his last conviction was in 1987 and he has lived a law-abiding life for a significant amount of time.

His long-term relationship ended five years ago, and he developed depression and was homeless for three years living in his van and made two suicide attempts at this time.

Ms Longworth said: “He also lost his job as a caretaker and builder, and this started a downward spiral where he began taking drugs a year and a half before this offending began.”

At this time, Coffey was also homeless but began staying with Glasgow when he lived at Halliwell Road.

Glasgow then started to accept roles in Coffey’s offending.

Ms Longworth added: “He was struggling significantly and made poor decisions.”

Glasgow is still living in private rented accommodation and is still struggling but improving.

He has also abstained from drugs since these offences and Miss Longworth said that he needs stability to improve his life and he is remorseful and recognises what led to these crimes.

Read more: Blackburn: Boy bitten by dog believed to be an XL Bully

David Bentley, defending Coffey, said that his client had previously removed himself from bad circles.

Mr Bentley said: “He currently lives with a terminally ill friend who is receiving end of life care, and this shows a sense of loyalty to friends in need.”

Coffey currently receives Universal Credit but wants to return to doing railway work.

Judge Matthew Corbett-Jones sentenced Coffey to two years and four months for supplying Class A drugs.

He will serve half of this sentence in custody and the remainder on licence.

Glasgow was sentenced to 16 months suspended for 18 months for supplying cannabis, possession of amphetamine and permitting his premises to be used for supplying Class A drugs.

He will also be required to attend 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days too.