A Salford drug dealer has been jailed after police found a gun hidden behind a fridge freezer at his mother's house. Cameron Caswell, 23, was arrested following a raid at the Salford property in 2024.
Weapon found in pantry
Manchester Crown Court heard that officers executed a warrant on Aspinall Crescent in Little Hulton on December 14. A black bag was discovered behind a fridge freezer in the pantry, containing a gun and ammunition. Experts identified the weapon as a Turkish-manufactured Zoraki 917.
The court earlier heard that DNA belonging to Caswell and Samuel Adesanya was found on the gun. Earlier this year, Adesanya was jailed for possession of the weapon. The 22-year-old was at the Aspinall Crescent property with Caswell and several others when officers carried out their search.
Shooting links
Adesanya's phone was examined and showed messages, voice notes and images suggesting he had knowledge of the firearm. In May 2024, Adesanya was left with a bullet in his chest following a shooting at a house in Salford. Minutes before, masked men were seen on CCTV outside the property carrying weapons, including machetes and 'zombie' knives.
Seven men pulled up outside the house in Little Hulton in a stolen Vauxhall Insignia before Adesanya, a visitor at the home, was shot. The car was found torched 30 minutes later and the gun used a month later at a house in Farnworth. Tyler Harrison, 20; James Gregory, 20; and Jacob Humphreys, 21, were convicted of wounding Adesanya in December 2024. Harrison, from Wigan, was jailed for eight years and 10 months; Gregory, from Salford, was jailed for eight years and four months; and Humphreys, from Wigan, was jailed for nine years.
Sentence
Caswell was remanded in custody in December 2024, but later released in January 2025, the court heard. Defending, Rebecca Filletti, said he had no intention to use the firearm. Police, it was said, found no messages to or from Caswell relating to the firearm and its use. The barrister called for the lowest sentence possible, saying Caswell has ADHD, anxiety and depression.
Judge Sarah Johnston told the defendant: "It was nothing but curiosity that led you to handle that weapon. It must be said, and you must understand, the fear that is struck in the hearts of communities when a criminal finds themselves in possession of potentially lethal firearms."
Caswell, of Chatley Road, Eccles, was sentenced to six years and 10 months for possession of a firearm and ammunition, as well as being concerned in the supply of cocaine and cannabis. He admitted all the charges he faced.
Drug supply operation
Caswell was sentenced alongside Harvey Duffy, 21, for the supply of illegal drugs in Salford. Duffy was not involved in the gun case. The court heard they played a significant role in the circulation of drugs in Salford. The pair were arrested after police discovered teenagers were being used to peddle Class A drugs.
Duffy was arrested in February this year. Digital scales and a bag containing white powder were found at his flat. The court heard he was the one in control, directing the operation and supplying teenagers with substances to sell. Caswell was arrested in March. Duffy, of Largo House, Egerton Road, Worsley, admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin, cocaine and crack cocaine and was sentenced to three years and four months at a young offender institute.
