THIS is the moment a cop who stole 4kg of cocaine from his force was foiled after dropping a bag of drugs outside his daughter’s school.
Greater Manchester Police detective Andrew Talbot stole seized drugs from the force’s storage – before selling them on the streets.
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The crooked cop’s downfall began when he was caught on CCTV dropping a small bag of cocaine outside his daughter’s primary.
Talbot, 54, has now been caged for 19 years after he was snared by GMP’s Line of Duty-style Anti-Corruption Unit.
Cops arrested Talbot at GMP’s Nexus House base – finding an ounce of cocaine on him.
More cocaine was found in his car and home along with drug-taking kit.
Crucial evidence revealed Talbot had been using his “privileged access” as a top detective to slip into police storage to find cocaine.
Forensic experts painstakingly combed through drug exhibits at Nexus House – finding Talbot had tampered with 12 of them.
Talbot, from Leigh, had hatched the conspiracy with convicted local drug dealer Keith Bretherton.
The bent cop searched police systems for intel on rival dealers and addresses to help Bretherton and his cronies collect drug debts.
As well as passing the intel onto Bretherton, Talbot threatened drug users with police investigation if they did not pay their debts.
Among those hounded by Talbot were a “vulnerable” couple who were tracked down despite moving across the country.
He had no “apparent policing purpose” for tampering with the drug exhibits or searching for intel on the police computer.
COME A COPPER
Talbot has now been found guilty of supplying a Class A drug, misconduct in public office following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
He was also convicted of refusing to provide the PIN for his mobile phone when asked by cops.
Talbot previously pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of cocaine. and theft of cocaine, and conspiracy.
The cop also admitted two counts of misconduct in public office and a further charge of conspiracy to commit misconduct in public office.
And he pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition without a firearm certificate.
Talbot was sacked by GMP following his shocking initial admissions in court.
WHAT A CHARLIE
Bretherton was also jailed for eight and a half years after admitting conspiracy with Talbot to commit misconduct in public office.
The 50-year-old also pleaded guilty to to possession of cannabis and possession of cocaine with intent to supply.
Anti-corruption cop DCI Jennifer Adams said: “This is one of the most shocking cases of corruption we’ve uncovered.
“Talbot will now serve a long sentence behind bars for abusing his role as a police officer.
“He betrayed his oath to serve the public and instead became a criminal.”
She added: “He not only stole drugs that had been taken from the streets, but he also unlawfully used police systems.
“He conspired with a known local drug dealer to add further crime and fear to communities.
“This was a complex and wide-ranging investigation involving a team of detectives.
“They worked tirelessly to bring Talbot to justice for the full extent of his crimes.
“While cases like this are concerning, they are extremely rare, and our anti-corruption is dedicated to uncovering any criminality within the force.
“There is no place for Talbot or anyone else in police uniform who cannot be trusted to catch criminals and keep our streets safe.
“We will continue to relentlessly root out those who are not fit to represent the thousands of hard-working officers that serve the people of Greater Manchester.”
LINE OF DUTY
Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said: “I am deeply saddened that a member of our police force sank to the depths that Andrew Talbot did.”
Woods added: “He has betrayed his oath and the trust of our communities.
“Without the dedication and tenacity of the GMP Anti-Corruption Unit, the full extent of Talbot’s offending would never have been fully understood.”
“I am grateful for their consummate professionalism and unwavering dedication.
“I am proud they represent the vast majority of policing. This is in stark contrast to Andrew Talbot.
“He thankfully represents a very small and uniquely depraved minority. Talbot deserves his long prison sentence.
“Not only for the severity of the crimes he committed, but also for the egregious breach of trust and confidence of his colleagues and the wider Greater Manchester community.”
