Man accused of being part of high-level drugs gang says he owned three luxury cars 'by mistake'
manchestereveningnews.co.ukA man accused of being part of a drugs and firearms gang has denied owning an Encrochat phone. Andrew Cooney, 39, told jurors of his many business dealings including the buying of a tanning salon, a failed barber shop and a house in Italy.
He also told Minshull Street Crown Court that he owned three high-value cars by ‘mistake’. Mr Cooney, of Alderley Edge, is one of five men on trial for conspiracy to supply drugs and firearm offences.
He previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine. READ MORE "100 per cent. I'm f**ked" - Horrific dashcam footage shows moment speeding drunk driver crashes car - killing teen friend READ MORE Court news and headlines here Giving evidence about his work record, Mr Cooney told the court that he worked on a market stall when he was still at school, then later worked as a cleaner and a youth worker before getting into auctions.
He said the parents of one of his friends would go regularly, and he became interested. He described the auctions as ‘liquidation’ sales, and told jurors of a ‘lucrative one’ with Mamas and Papas. “It was buggies etc, worth about £80,000, I paid around £11,000 for it.
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