American drug runners, police officer and rapist TV extra among the Greater Manchester criminals locked up

A gang of drug smugglers, a police officer and a rapist former TV extra were among the criminals jailed this week.

The drugs plot was uncovered when £8 million worth of cocaine was discovered in suitcases in Manchester Airport. Six drug runners were jailed this week.

Elsewhere a married police sergeant was jailed after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two women. Richard Mills' 18 year career ended in disgrace after he was locked up for 18 months.

In another shocking case, Philip Hamer was jailed for 28 years for a campaign of rape and sexual abuse committed against seven girls. Hamer had previously appeared as an extra on soaps including Coronation Street and Hollyoaks, and had worked for Manchester United and Manchester City in off field matchday roles.

He used social media to find his victims before manipulating and abusing them. Also sentenced this week was a man who started fires at two iconic Manchester buildings.

Jail terms are handed out to the worst offenders, and Manchester Evening News reporters are on hand to cover the most serious cases.

American drug runners were busted when £8m-worth of cocaine was found in suitcases at Manchester Airport. Five women and two men recruited by crime bosses and offered 'considerable' payments were flown to the UK and ordered to pick up 12 bags.

Inside was a total of more than 300kg of the Class A drug. The plan fell apart when a bag went through an X-ray machine and the alarm was raised.

Three members of the group were arrested on the spot. Four others were detained in rooms at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel, opposite the airport. Two were naked in bed when officers burst in.

Six people have now been jailed for their roles in the 'sophisticated' operation, which