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Following a two week trial at Liverpool Crown Court James Lake leading Matthew Moore-Taylor, instructed by Alison Norton of the Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, have secured the conviction of a police officer who stole cocaine from the police evidence stores to supply back onto the streets of Greater Manchester.
Andrew Talbot was found guilty by a jury of the supply of cocaine, misconduct in public office by using police systems to find outlets for those drugs, and an offence of failing to comply with a notice under section 49 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.
Talbot had previously entered guilty pleas to a number of offences including possession of cocaine, theft of up to 3.943kg of cocaine from the police, possession of ammunition without a firearms certificate, misconduct in public office, and conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.
The investigation into Talbot began when he dropped a small bag of cocaine outside his daughter’s school, he was then searched at work and found to have cocaine valued between £1,500 – £2,500 on his person. His home and car were searched revealing a burner phone, a Greater Manchester Police (GMP) evidence bag containing traces of cocaine, and a note which contained property reference numbers and exhibit numbers of large amount of cocaine seized by GMP in other successful drug operations. Those seized drugs were re-analysed and found to be missing 3.943kg of cocaine.
Talbot’s use of police systems was analysed and revealed that he had, in addition to accessing the drugs store to steal the drugs, researched local drug dealers in an attempt to find an outlet to sell the drugs he had stolen. Further, examination of his use of police systems had shown he had worked closely with a convicted drug dealer, Keith Bretherton, to provide him with information to extort money from those who owed him a drug debt.
Keith Bretherton had previously entered guilty pleas to possession with intent to supply Class A drugs (cocaine) following his home being searched and 1.2kg of cocaine being found, and conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.
Both Talbot and Bretherton will be sentenced on the 18th of October 2024.
Detective Chief Inspector Jennifer Adams said:
“Our tenacious investigation into Andrew Talbot uncovered the appalling extent of his criminality, which involved him abusing his position of power for his own personal gratification and criminal gains.
“Through our investigation, it became clear Talbot had stolen a significant amount of Class A drugs from evidence and was redistributing these drugs back into the streets of Greater Manchester.
“Talbot took an oath to be a police officer and to serve the public, but instead began to abuse this position and entered a world of criminality. This was an egregious breach of public trust. It was the reason we’ve ensured he’s been brought to justice for the full scale of his offending.
“This was a lengthy and detailed investigation demonstrating the diligence of the officers in our Anti-Corruption Unit, and this case sends a strong message about the expectations we have for serving police officers.
“We know the vast majority of officers are dedicated and compassionate professionals, but we have no tolerance for anyone like Talbot who is not fit to serve the people of Greater Manchester.”
Rosemary Ainslie, Head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said:
“Andrew Talbot brazenly abused his position as a police officer for many years.
“Not only did he steal drugs from Greater Manchester Police’s own evidence store, he then shamelessly supplied those drugs on the streets of the city he was entrusted to police.
“His disgraceful criminal conduct and association with convicted drug dealer Keith Bretherton are in stark contrast to his duties as an officer to protect the public, and risk undermining public confidence in policing.
“I hope this conviction serves as a reminder that no-one is above the law and that all offenders will be held accountable.”
BBC – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2562280xvo
Greater Manchester Police – https://www.gmp.police.uk/news/greater-manchester/news/news/2024/september/former-detective-found-guilty-of-misconduct-in-public-office-and-supplying-drugs-after-our-anti-corruption-unit-uncovered-criminality/
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