A prominent supplier in the chemsex scene has been jailed after police uncovered a drugs 'laboratory'. Cairo Taylor, 29, was caught with huge quantities of crystal methamphetamine and ketamine, as well as a 20-litre barrel containing a chemical believed to be used in the enhancement of the drugs following police raids at his flat in Salford.
Arrest and charges
Two men, including Taylor, were arrested. He was later charged and pleaded guilty to 16 offences relating to the supply of drugs. There was no further action brought against the second man.
The estimated street value of the drugs was said to be between £150,000 and £200,000, Greater Manchester Police have said.
Operation Eastnor investigation
It comes after a GMP investigation, Operation Eastnor, into the region's chemsex market. Operation Eastnor forms part of GMP's wider work with partners and LGBTQ+ communities to raise awareness of chemsex-related harms, encourage reporting, and safeguard those who may be vulnerable or at risk.
The investigation found evidence suggesting Taylor was operating at a high level – identifying him as a prominent supplier within Manchester's chemsex scene, supplying substances associated with high-risk sexual activity and exploitation.
Further analysis of mobile phone data seized also received messages and materials indicating that Taylor had been making efforts to chemically alter and improve the drugs quality before supplying it.
Sentencing and impact
At Manchester Crown Court on Friday, September 25, Taylor, of Elmira Way, Salford, was jailed for five years after previously pleading guilty to 16 offences relating to the supply of class A and class B drugs.
Sergeant Adam Culpan, of GMP's City Centre Violence Reduction and Exploitation team, said: "This investigation has resulted in a significant disruption to the supply of harmful drugs within Greater Manchester's community.
"The analysis we made found that Taylor was effectively running a drugs laboratory, and since his arrest a well-known drugs line has ceased operating. This is an extremely uncommon outcome in large-scale drugs investigations where supply networks are often quickly replaced.
"The substances involved present serious risks to health and wellbeing and can leave people vulnerable to exploitation, serious injury and even death.
"The warrants carried out in May resulted in substantial recoveries, removing harmful substances from circulation and dismantling what we believe was a key supply line into Manchester.
"Taylor's guilty pleas reflect the strength of the evidence gathered by officers throughout this investigation. We hope this sentence sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue those who profit from supplying dangerous drugs and causing harm within our communities."
Operation Eastnor's wider work
City of Manchester Central Superintendent, Nicola Williams, said: "Since it was created in March 2025, Operation Eastnor has adopted a problem-solving and partnership-led approach, bringing together policing, public health, healthcare providers, community groups, academics and third-sector organisations to reduce harm and improve safeguarding outcomes.
"It has achieved significant results through proactive enforcement and prevention activity, including safeguarding vulnerable individuals, disrupting organised criminality, targeting those responsible for sexual offences and drug supply, and increasing awareness of chemsex-related risks across GMP and partner agencies.
"Officers and staff have also had targeted training and awareness sessions to ensure they have a greater understanding and confidence when identifying and responding to chemsex-related harm.
"The sentencing given is another step towards our work to disrupt organised criminality associated with this harm and ensure vulnerable people are safeguarded."
Duncan Craig OBE, Chief Executive Officer of We Are Survivors, who deliver the ChemSex harm reduction project in association with George House Trust, said: "I'd like to thank Superintendent Williams and the team for engaging with us in developing understanding of the harms associated with ChemSex activity with the aim of keeping people safe".
Anyone with information about drug supply or concerns can report information to Greater Manchester Police via 101, online through the GMP website, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
