Radcliffe man admits supplying heroin and cocaine in Bolton 2026

Key Points

• Ruben Fidalgo, aged 21, from Blackburn Street in Radcliffe, pleaded guilty to five charges related to drugs at Manchester Crown Court.
• Fidalgo admitted he was guilty of the supply of heroin and cocaine between March and August 2026.
• Fidalgo admitted he had heroin and cocaine with the intention to supply in Bury on August 6, 2026.
• Furthermore, Fidalgo admitted to possession of criminal property, that is, money.
• Court records reveal that the supply of heroin accusation took place between March 23 to August 6, 2026, in Bolton.
• The supply of cocaine accusation happened between the same time frame up to August 7, 2026.
• Guilty pleas were made on September 18, 2026.
• Fidalgo was held in custody following the hearing.
• There is another hearing to take place on December 18, 2026, at Manchester Crown Court.
• A Newton Hearing has been set to commence upon a dispute of facts following the guilty plea.
• An interpreter of Portuguese language has been provided for the upcoming hearing.
• The above coverage is based on court records and appears in Bury Times and Prestwich and Whitefield Guide.

Manchester (Manchester Mirror) November 07, 2026 — A 21-year-old man from Radcliffe has admitted supplying heroin and cocaine in Bury and Bolton, as well as possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply and criminal cash.

As reported by the Bury Times, Ruben Fidalgo, of Blackburn Street, Radcliffe, entered guilty pleas to five offences at Manchester Crown Court. He admitted being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine between March and August 2026, possessing both Class A drugs with intent to supply, and possessing criminal property, namely cash.

The case concerns alleged drug-supply activity in two Greater Manchester boroughs. Court records cited by the Bury Times show that the heroin supply charge relates to alleged offending between March 23 and August 6, 2026, in Bolton, while the cocaine supply charge covers a similar period ending on August 7.

Fidalgo also admitted possessing heroin and cocaine with intent to supply in Bury on August 6, 2026. The Prestwich and Whitefield Guide reported that the Radcliffe man admitted supplying heroin and cocaine and possessing criminal cash.

What offences did Ruben Fidalgo admit?

Fidalgo admitted five offences, according to court records reported by the Bury Times.

• Being concerned in the supply of heroin between March 23 and August 6, 2026, in Bolton.
• Being concerned in the supply of cocaine during a similar period ending on August 7, 2026.
• Possessing heroin with intent to supply in Bury on August 6, 2026.
• Possessing cocaine with intent to supply in Bury on August 6, 2026.
• Possessing criminal property, namely cash.

The Bury Times reported that Fidalgo entered guilty pleas to all five offences on September 18. The court records do not, in the material published, state the amount of cash alleged to have been recovered or provide further detail about the alleged criminal property.

When did the alleged offending take place?

The alleged offending spans several months in 2026. According to court records reported by the Bury Times, the heroin supply allegation covers March 23 to August 6, while the cocaine supply allegation covers a similar period ending on August 7.

The possession-with-intent-to-supply allegations relate to August 6, 2026, in Bury. The reported court records therefore place the alleged supply activity across Bolton and Bury during the spring and summer of 2026.

Where will the case be heard next?

The case will return to Manchester Crown Court on December 18. Fidalgo was remanded in custody following the hearing at which he entered his pleas.

Court records show that a Newton hearing has been scheduled. A Newton hearing is a court procedure used when there is a dispute over the facts of a case after a defendant has pleaded guilty; it allows a judge to determine factual matters that may affect sentencing.

The court has also arranged for a Portuguese interpreter to attend the hearing. The Bury Times did not report a sentencing date beyond the December 18 listing.

What is a Newton hearing?

A Newton hearing is held after a guilty plea when the prosecution and defence disagree about facts relevant to sentencing. The court hears evidence and makes findings on the disputed issues before deciding the appropriate sentence.

In Fidalgo’s case, the Bury Times reported that court records show a Newton hearing has been scheduled, but the published report does not identify which factual issues are disputed.

What has been reported about the defendant?

The Bury Times identified the defendant as Ruben Fidalgo, aged 21, of Blackburn Street, Radcliffe. He pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court and was remanded in custody after the hearing.

The Prestwich and Whitefield Guide described the case as involving a Radcliffe man who admitted supplying heroin and cocaine and possessing criminal cash. The published court-record reporting does not include a statement from Fidalgo, his legal representatives, Greater Manchester Police, the Crown Prosecution Service, or any other party.

What remains unresolved in the case?

Fidalgo has admitted the offences, but the sentencing process has not concluded. The December 18 hearing is expected to address the disputed facts through the Newton hearing procedure, after which the court can proceed towards sentence.

No sentence has been reported. The court records cited by the Bury Times do not state the quantity of drugs alleged, the value of the cash, the basis of the prosecution case, or any mitigation put forward on Fidalgo’s behalf.

Background of the development

The case arises from allegations of Class A drug supply in the Bury and Bolton areas during 2026. Heroin and cocaine are Class A controlled drugs under UK law, and being concerned in their supply, possessing them with intent to supply, and possessing criminal property are matters that can be dealt with at crown court.

The reporting by the Bury Times and Prestwich and Whitefield Guide is based on court records. It confirms that Fidalgo has pleaded guilty, but it does not report the underlying police investigation, arrest circumstances, evidence relied upon by the prosecution, or any explanation from the defence.

The scheduling of a Newton hearing indicates that the court intends to resolve disputed facts before sentencing. The Portuguese interpreter arrangement indicates that the court has made provision for interpretation at the next hearing.

Prediction: How the development may affect local residents

For residents of Radcliffe, Bury and Bolton, the case is likely to be followed mainly through its eventual sentencing outcome. Because Fidalgo has admitted the offences, the immediate practical effect is that the case will move from plea stage to the resolution of disputed facts and sentencing.

If the court proceeds to sentence after the December 18 hearing, the outcome may be relevant to local concerns about Class A drug supply. However, the available reporting does not establish the scale of the alleged activity, the amount of drugs or cash involved, or any wider network, so residents should treat the case as an individual prosecution rather than a confirmed account of broader organised crime.

For people affected by drug-related crime or concerned about drug activity in their area, the case may reinforce the importance of reporting specific concerns to Greater Manchester Police through official channels. The reported facts concern allegations and admissions in court; no findings about the wider impact on local communities have been published in the available coverage.