Sisters caught drug dealing after £10k cannabis package accidentally sent to neighbour
Destiny Connolly, 26, managed the 'Kyzer' line for several months - dispatching over 2,000 flare messages advertising narcotics for sale.
Two sisters who were involved in the preparation and sale of Class A drugs were caught out after parcels were accidentally delivered to a neighbour.
Destiny Connolly, 26, managed the 'Kyzer' line for several months - dispatching over 2,000 flare messages advertising narcotics for sale.
However, after two packages of cannabis were handed over to the police by one of her sister Paris' neighbours, investigations unveiled that the pair were part of a large-scale operation.
The siblings were initially coerced into the venture by Jack Harrison, who has since been imprisoned for drug offences, Minshull Street Crown Court was told.
Officers, upon raiding their homes, discovered a wrap of cannabis in a Louis Vuitton handbag.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, the Connolly sisters admitted to being involved in the supply of cocaine and heroin and they broke down in tears as they narrowly escaped jail on Thursday, October 30.
Alison Whalley, prosecuting, previously informed the court that the sisters' crimes were exposed when three vacuum-sealed packages of cannabis, weighing a total of one kilogram, were received by Paris' neighbour. One was given to Destiny, the others to the police.
These contained a strain of 'Cali' weed and were estimated to be worth between £6,000 and £9,000 per kilo - or £10,000 if sold in street deals.
Destiny and her then boyfriend Jack Harrison requested the remaining two packages. They were told that they had been handed over to the police, leading to Harrison becoming 'aggressive', claiming the parcels were worth £6,500 each and demanding either the money or the parcels back.
Harrison, from Gildersdale Drive in Manchester, was arrested on August 24 last year for possession with intent to supply class A drugs; driving offences; and strangulation of a police officer. He was sentenced to six years and two months in prison earlier this year.
Officers identified a drug line known as 'Kyzer' in July 2024. A total of 2,511 flare messages were sent out to contacts, advertising crack cocaine and heroin for sale. There were also requests for drugs, one example being - 'four white, one brown', which is slang for cocaine and heroin.
"The phone was attributed to Destiny Connolly," stated Ms Whalley. "There was also contact on the phone between her and her sister, Paris."
Messages revealed Destiny initially asked her sister 'if she wished to work', stating: "Jack will ring you now if you do and he says he is sorry." Evidence of arguments between the sisters was also found. One message read: "You're sniffing more than you actually sell."
Both of the sisters' homes were searched by police before officers discovered a Nokia, two iPhones, and 'a snap bag of cannabis from a Louis Vuitton handbag' at Paris's home in Oldham. The police also found a knife and scales with traces of cocaine.
Ellen Shaw stated in their defence that according to a basis of plea document, the sisters claimed they were forced into criminal activities by Harrison. She admitted that Paris had previous convictions for cultivating a cannabis farm in 2017.
Reading from several character testimonies and letters from the sisters, Judge Recorder Michael Hayton KC told Ms Shaw: "It is heartbreaking to read these documents. These two ladies pleaded guilty to some hugely serious offences.
"Some of the offences to which they have pleaded, you are talking about sentences of many years in custody. I could sentence them for five to six years and nobody could complain. They were being manipulated to an extent by Jack Harrison.
"Sending these two ladies to prison would cause upset and anxiety to young children and put them in contact with sophisticated criminals despite already being forced into this by Jack Harrison. So, what do I do?"
Ms Shaw requested the court to pass a suspended sentence and mentioned that both women had been classified as low risk of reoffending by the probation service.
"They are upset, they are disturbed. Their concern is not for themselves, but their children and wider family, and the impact this has had on the people they love" she said.
Both women were handed a two-year suspended sentence by Recorder Hayton KC, who stated: "You were playing your part and an important part in a substantial drug operation. There are facts before me that would allow me to send you to prison for years - you are not going to go to prison today."
The women broke down in tears as the judge continued: "The reason why I am not sending you to prison today is firstly your age and character. The second is that Jack Harrison, it is clear to me, is the prime mover.
"He coerced you to become involved. Those [messages] support the fact that Jack Harrison carried out domestic violence as part and parcel of the relationship. He is a bad man. Bad men beat you up, they hurt you and get you involved in offences."
Destiny Connolly, from Cardale Walk, Harpurhey, was given a suspended jail term with 100 hours unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.
Paris Connolly, from Manchester Road, Oldham, received a suspended jail term with 100 hours unpaid work and 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.