Corrupt police officer exposed after found outside daughter’s primary school

Judge Neil Flewitt KC said: “As a result of conscientious and dedicated police work, large quantities of Class A drugs were taken off the streets by Greater Manchester Police officers, many of whom were your colleagues.

“As a result of your addiction and greed, a significant amount of this cocaine was put back into circulation. You deceived your colleagues and betrayed the trust they and the community placed in you.”

The investigation into Talbot, by GMP’s anti-corruption unit, began in February 2020 after he dropped a small bag of cocaine outside his daughter’s primary school.

James Lake, prosecuting, said: “Staff members were aware that a bag of white powder had been found in the path. When the school looked at the CCTV they saw that it was Andrew Talbot who had left drop the bag. Not surprisingly, since they knew he was a police officer, they contacted the police.”

When Talbot was arrested after arriving at work on February 17, 2020, a total of 26.8g of high-purity cocaine was found in his coat pocket, as well as smaller amounts that were of lower purity Bags and a piece of paper with exhibit references for Operation Cosmetic, an investigation into the domestic supply of cocaine, were found in his car and three bullets were found at his home in Leigh.

When officers checked the drugs that had been seized as part of Operation Cosmetic and other investigation, they found that just under 4kg of cocaine was missing. Mr Lake said: “He agreed that when he attended the property shop he would carry pockets, as much as he could fit in his pockets.”

The court heard the drugs had an estimated wholesale value of £140,000 and a retail value of £394,500. The judge said: “While it is not clear how Andrew Talbot disposed of the stolen cocaine, I have no doubt that he sold it to criminals who in turn cut it up and sold it on the streets.”

Talbot conducted several searches of GMP’s confidential computer systems for known or suspected drug dealers in his area. He also provided confidential police information to a friend under investigation for assault and to Bretherton, to help him recover a drug debt worth more than £20,000.

Ryan Donoghue, defending Talbot, said there was no evidence Talbot was living a “lavish lifestyle”. He said: “I had a long-standing addiction to cocaine at the time.”

The court heard that Talbot had served in the police for 20 years and spent three years in the armed forces, but had become addicted to cocaine after difficulties in his personal life and his role in an operation in that Anthony Grainger was shot. by armed police in Culcheth, Cheshire.

He was sentenced to 19 years in prison. His accomplice Bretherton, also from Leigh, Greater Manchester, was jailed for eight-and-a-half years.