Swinton's 'Italian Stallion' jailed over guns and drugs
Peitro Menga, an MMA fighter, helped a gang sell around £600,000 worth of drugs
An MMA fighter from Swinton with the nickname 'the Italian Stallion' has been jailed after for helping a gang sell drugs and guns.
Pietro Menga admitted to being a "middleman" for the gang, and was directly involved in sourcing cocaine for users across Greater Manchester.
He was sentenced to 15 years and five months.
Menga came to the attention of police after officers infiltrated a social media platform called EncroChat.
From the messages on his encrypted mobile phone, a drugs expert estimated the street sale value of drugs that Menga was involved in were worth between £490,000 to £620,000.
Police raided Menga's home in January 2024, and he was arrested.
Detective Constable Shiels from our Serious Organised Crime Group said: “Menga, like many criminals before him, thought he was hiding behind a secure communications system. Instead, he created his own evidence trail that has led them straight to jail.
“The level that Menga operated at showed he clearly had an established list of criminal contacts, one which will have been built over several years under the radar, facilitated by the use of Encrochat.
“I hope this result shows that we remain committed to pursuing people who think they are above the law and believe they can evade justice.
"We will continue to target criminals like Menga by thoroughly examining any evidence and carrying out any necessary warrants across Greater Manchester.”