Advertisement
Sniffing out the drug dealers
Reporter: JENNIFER HOLLAMBY
Date online: 31 August 2009
Police dogs pounce
POLICE uncovered a stash of heroin and crack cocaine during a crime blitz in Werneth on Friday.
The haul was discovered in the roof lining of a car during Operation Tornado, a Greater Manchester-wide crackdown on car thieves and motorists driving without insurance and tax.
Officers — complete with specially-trained sniffer dogs — parked along specific routes using automatic number plate recognition technology to identify suspicious vehicles.
As well as discovering the Class A stash and charging the driver with possession of drugs with intent to supply, police also seized five cars with no insurance.
Inspector Chris Gloster, who headed the operation, said: “Class A drugs are a root cause of burglary so this was an excellent result for us.”
“The drugs dog is returning incredible results, identifying hidden drugs and cash in vehicles which we would be unable to find without an in-depth search.
“It’s amazing where people hide drugs — I’m glad it’s the dogs’ job to look.”
Friday’s crackdown builds on the work of Operation Tornado across Greater Manchester, which targets notorious crime hotspots.In the last four months alone, Operation Tornado has resulted in the arrests of more than 90 criminals across Greater Manchester.
Officers have also seized nearly 100 illegally-driven cars and recovered 30 more stolen ones.
Inspector Gloster added: “Those who are driving without tax or insurance are often involved in other forms of criminal activity.”
Chief inspector Rob Tinsley said: "We have pledged to leave no stone unturned in the fight to bring burglars to justice.
“Operation Tornado is a great tool for us because it allows us to lock down an area and target those who might be coming in and out of a town to commit crime."
Anyone who wants to report a crime can call the police on 0161-872 5050 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.
Comments
It’s about time they started checking out taxis, they been the choice for years on the movement of drugs
Drugs? In Werneth? Who'd have thought it!
This is all very well but why do the police pat themselves on the back for a service we pay for and expect? Once in a blue moon they actually stop a drug dealer and 5 uninsured drivers. I always assumed this was their daily duty and it happened frequently.
There are easy pickings in Glodwick, Werneth and Westwoodfor any police operation. Even something as simple as staking out a telephone box and watching the dealers make calls and take drop offs would produce results.
Hi ProDriver you forgot all the barber shops that are opening up
You lot write a load of rubbish....I suppose all the other businesses and areas of oldham are legit... paying minimal taxes, making huge profits.. dealing in drugs. I wonder if any addicts or dealers live in say...Fitton Hill, Sholver, Failsworth, Limeside, Hollinwood, Derker etc etc etc
Drugs is a problem in the borough and a full spectrum of drugs are available for users, weed farms are even found in Royton these days. But from my experience of people who buy cannabis in Oldham and even Leeds, they all seem to say that 90% of the time they buy it off Asian people.
This is meant with no disrespect to the Asian community as this doesn't include every one, but they must see this as a problem, even if it is just Asian kids working on street level for a white "drug baron" the crimes are still being committed and it is a problem that must be admitted to.
Admitted, and I for one have reported one particular dealer, but for some reason he is not arrested, possibly an informer!!, any other "community" prepared to admit it is also a problem for them?
It is NOT just SHOPS, but main store car parks, parks, back alleys, walkways, back entrances to betting shops, flats over the top of shops, right outside your home cars park up, not to forget all the takeaways and restaurants. even though this is reported nothing is done.
Have Your Say
If Greater Manchester Police value their dogs so much,why did they get rid of so many?
By rexthewonderdog @ 31/08/2009 14:00:21