Snakes alive!

TREASURE TROVE. . . A selection of the gold chains, rings and watches seized by police

Drugs-raid police find zoo in house

POLICE carrying out a drugs raid on two houses in Fitton Hill uncovered a bizarre sight — one was full of exotic animals.

They were faced with an Aladdin’s cave of drugs, jewellery, weapons and unusual creatures.

One of the semi-detached homes in Dowry Street was wall to wall with snakes, lizards, parrots, chickens and a giant boa constrictor.

Drugs worth £5,000 were found and seized as well as jewellery and animals. Five people were arrested.

Sgt Rob Howarth said: “What we found at these addresses was remarkable. It was almost a zoo.

“One of the properties was full of tanks and enclosures containing hundreds of animals and exotic pets. It was like Dr Who’s Tardis.

“We suspect a drugs scam. Some of this jewellery is possibly stolen and might have been taken in exchange for drugs.

“Whether the animals were being bred for sale we don’t know, but that’s being investigated.”

Police carried out the two raids in the early hours of Tuesday after receiving tip-offs, but say the houses were not noticeable and they did not know the scale of what lay in store.

Officers from Oldham’s operational support unit and the tactical aid unit were involved and drugs believe to be cannabis and amphetamines were found as well as mixing agents, a machete, and jewellery including gold chains and rings.

Inquiries are under way to trace the owners of the jewellery with police appealing to anyone who recognises items to come forward.

Three men, aged 25, 35 and 42; and two women, aged 44 and 19; were arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs with intent to supply and bailed until January 27.

Oldham Council’s animal health and welfare team provided assistance.

Director for environmental services, John Rice said: “Our dog warden had to be called in to restrain animals at the property to allow the police to undertake a detailed search.

“We seized 14 geckos under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which it is alleged were being caused unnecessary suffering.

“These animals are now in care while investigations take place to determine whether to institute legal proceedings against the owners.”

Sgt Howarth added: “This was another example of the excellent work that is being done by police in Oldham to stop illegal drugs flooding our streets.

“This is not the first time we have taken such direct action and it will certainly not be the last.

“Drugs are a menace and we are determined to root out the dealers.”

Anyone with information should call the police on 0161-856 8971 or 0161-872 5050 or the Crimestoppers charity on 0800-555 111.