38 years for dealer who lived life of luxury

A GANGSTER who worked alongside Salford drugs boss Jamie Rothwell enjoyed a lavish lifestyle funded by crime.

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Craig Makinson, 50, had been drug dealing 'over many years' before he was caught out by the law enforcement infiltration of EncroChat.

Manchester Crown Court heard that he had expensive cars, booked luxury holidays to Dubai and Thailand and ramped up his drug dealing to help pay for a £500,000 home with a swimming pool.

He ploughed his drugs money into other ventures renovating property, in the leisure industry and a tanning salon. But Makinson, from Wigan, will be behind bars for the foreseeable future after being handed a huge 38-year sentence. He was one of nine other men to be jailed alongside Rothwell for their own criminality.

The court heard how Makinson was linked to drug dealing in cocaine, heroin and amphetamine worth £2.5million. He helped to finance the purchase of an AK47 machine gun and worked with Rothwell.

Also sentenced was Zak Rourke, who acted as a 'conduit' between bosses and those lower down the chain. He was also involved in the sale of firearms and ammunition. James Close also helped source the AK47.

He was 'trusted' by Rothwell and learned how to adulterate drugs, in order to boost his profits. Judge John Potter branded Close a 'violent and dangerous criminal'.

A text message he sent to someone who owed him money read: "If you have not dropped some money off to me by 5pm tonight I am going to acid your face off in your front garden choice is yours."

Callum Morris became involved through his friend Close, after the pair trained in mixed martial arts together.