An investigation into a shooting in an East Lancashire town has resulted in the conviction of a gang of eight criminals. 

During the shooting, which occurred in Salus Street, Burnley, two men were shot while another suffered serious head injuries during the disturbance – which also saw vehicles rammed and violent disorder.

It transpired the incident had occurred during the attempted ‘taxing’ of a £220,000 cannabis farm located inside a home on the street.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Later, one of the vehicles used during the incident was set alight in a bid to destroy evidence.

The police were first made aware of some kind of disturbance when they were called to a report of a group attacking a man with weapons in Wilson Street at around 12.30am on February 4, 2021.

Shortly afterwards the ambulance service were called to a nearby address to a report of a man with a cut to his head.

At just after 1.15am police were then called again to a report that a 39-year-old man was being treated at hospital for what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the leg. The injury was not life-threatening.

Lancashire Telegraph:

At 4.30am officers were then called to reports a silver BMW estate car had been found burnt out in Melville Street.

After lengthy enquiries – including other evidence being obtained which linked some of the defendants to the supply of cannabis - nine people were arrested on July 13, 2021, in connection with the investigation, named Operation Callaway.

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, eight of those individuals were charged and stood trial at Preston Crown Court.

Yesterday (June 16), a jury found five of those individuals guilty of their roles in the conspiracy.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Besim Zeka, 31 of Burder Street, Oldham - conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class B.

Elion Gllava, 27, of Hollins Road, Oldham - conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class B.

Ibrahim Beldie, 32, of Hollins Road, Oldham - conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class B.

Andon Bita, 47, of Ellen Wilkinson Crescent, Manchester - conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life, and conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class B and conspiracy to possess criminal property.

Mazar Shah, 40, of Alms Hill Road, Cheetham Hill, Manchester – assisting an offender. He pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice, which included the arson.

The below individuals pleaded guilty part way through the trial.

Gulam Rauf, 39, of Hartley Avenue, Prestwich - perverting the course of justice, which included the arson.

Murtaza Ahmed, 38, of Berry Street, Brierfield - conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class B and conspiracy to possess criminal property.

Andreas Zekaqis, 31, of Acacia Road, Oldham – conspiracy to supply a controlled drug of Class B and conspiracy to possess criminal property.

Det Supt Nick Connaughton, of East Division, said: “The truly appalling violence that took place in the early hours of February 4, 2021, was completely unacceptable.

“Although an extremely rare occurrence on the streets of Lancashire, it just shows the lengths that OCGs are prepared to go to in order to protect their commodity.

“That is why we set up Operation Coolant earlier this year, to target these cannabis farms before rival OCGs can get to them and prevent any associated violence.

“All the individuals charged under Operation Callaway either played key roles on the day in the violence or attempted cover-up; or in the Class B supply conspiracy that led to the cannabis farm being present in Salus Street.

"I am pleased the jury came to the verdicts they did and that the other defendants admitted their guilt, faced with the overwhelming evidence that we managed to gather in this extremely complex case.”

All eight men will be sentenced at Preston Crown Court later this year.

To report suspicious activity in your area visit the Lancashire Constabulary website or call 101. If a crime is in progress always call 999.