Seven charged and man wanted in connection with supply of heroin and crack cocaine between Manchester and Lancashire

Seven suspects have been charged and one man is still wanted by police in connection with the supply of drugs between Manchester and Lancashire.

A major investigation was launched by Lancashire Police’s East Exploitation Team into the supply of heroin and crack cocaine between Accrington and Manchester from September 2022 to June of this year.

As part of their enquiries, officers uncovered heroin, cash, mobile phones and drugs paraphernalia. Seven men have been charged with conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

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Police are now trying to trace Joseph Oakes, 22, from Accrington as part of their enquiries. He is known to have links to Accrington and Preston.

Two men charged from Manchester are Sameer Amin, 30, of Hovey Close, Manchester, who was also charged with being concerned in the supply of a cannabis and Lloyd Spencer, 39, of Hawkshead Road, Manchester.

Police have also charged Phillip Rhodes, 47, of Cross Street, Accrington, Hasnain Ashraf, 23, of Frederick Street, Accrington, Paul Moxham, 49, of Whalley Road, Altham West, Aston Johnson, 19, of Brear Vale, Oswaldtwistle, Lewis Lord, 21, of South Square, Blackpool.

They have all since appeared before local magistrates in court. Ashraf, Lord, Amin and Spencer were all remanded into custody to appear before a judge at the crown court later this year. The rest were released on conditional bail.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Joseph Oakes is asked to email [email protected] or call 101, quoting log 356 of June 19, 2023.