More arrests in crime crackdown

LETHAL: this long-bladed knife was among items seized

Weapons and drugs seized
DRUGS, weapons, cash and cars were seized in a police crackdown on organised crime.

Officers from Operation Caminada raided a house on Frederick Street, Chadderton, under the Misuse of Drugs Act. They seized:

::£800 in cash and two large TVs.

::Weapons, including an extendable baton, a large knife and an air weapon.

::Twenty-nine cannabis plants, with a street value of up to £14,000, and drug-growing equipment.

::A red Ford Transit van parked outside the house.

Two men, aged 41 and 44 were arrested on suspicion of production of a Class-B drug and have been bailed until May 21 pending further inquiries following the raid on Monday.

Officers also searched garage premises near to Middleton Junction and recovered a Ford tipper stolen from the Winsford area of Cheshire on Saturday.

On Tuesday, the team raided a house on Coalshaw Green Road, Chadderton, seizing a quantity of white powder, a tent used to produce cannabis, about 150 counterfeit DVDs and an axe hidden under a bed.

A 24-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class-A drugs with intent to supply and has been bailed pending further inquiries.

The raids were part of the latest enforcement action carried out by the team to target organised criminals.

Officers were also assisted by staff from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) targeting benefit fraud.

Sgt Rob Howarth, from the Operation Caminada team, said: “These are yet more examples of how we are listening to what our communities are telling us and taking a stand against drug dealers who think they can act with impunity.

“These raids would not be possible without the support of local people who are fed up of drug dealers operating in their locality.

“What this shows is that together we can really make a difference and stop scores of drugs from getting on to our streets.

“I would urge anyone who has concerns about drug dealing in their area to let us know. These fantastic results show just what we can achieve when police and residents come together.”

He added: “Operation Caminada was launched to bring down illegal activity and rid the town of drug dealing and associated organised criminality.

“We have set out a clear agenda to our community and partners that we will target offenders and the lifestyle they build as a result of their criminal activity.”