Its members would force their way into bars and nightclubs to sell drugs openly while drinking champagne and other alcohol without paying.
This led to physical clashes with many of Manchester's doormen and club owners, who were intimidated by gang members and feared repercussions.
One such incident led to a rival gangster from Moss Side being stabbed in the head during a jungle drum and bass rave at Sankey's Soap Nightclub in Manchester.
[10] Cheetham Hill Gang member Anthony "White Tony" Johnson was gunned down outside a local pub in 1991 (aged 22).
The gun battle started when Johnson and Tony McKie were ambushed in the car park of the Penny Black pub.
Empty social housing units were taken over by the gang and used to sell drugs, including a 14‑storey tower block on the border with Broughton, Salford.
The gang war between Moss Side and Cheetham Hill started with a prolific robber of mixed race, then in his mid twenties, known to the police as "the Gladiator" for his height and his fearless nature.
[15] The Gladiator had had a criminal record since his youth, and in the early eighties served a prison term, during which his girlfriend left him for one of the high–ranking members of the Moss Side gang.
Speaking anonymously, one gang member speculated that the Gladiator "felt this was an affront to his manhood, but at the same time it was seen to be uncool to fight over a woman.
"[15] When a family with friends in both communities held a Christening party at a house on the Alexandra Park Estate in Moss Side, "The Gladiator" saw his chance.