Police raid two properties in Trafford seizing drugs worth £50k

Police officers from the Challenger team executed warrants this morning (7 Jan) – securing multiple arrests and seizing over £50k worth of drugs.

Programme Challenger – GMP’s partnership response to serious and organised crime – executed the morning action across three addresses: two in Trafford and one in Manchester.

The work from officers today has produced five arrests of three men and two women aged between 25 and 63.

They were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, possession with intent to supply class A drugs, and possession of a prohibited weapon in a private place. They remain in custody for questioning with enquiries currently ongoing.

Searches so far have recovered dozens of suspected cocaine rocks and associated drug paraphernalia. An initial estimate is that the drugs could be worth in excess of £50k.

The operational work comes as part of Challenger’s investigation into drugs supply in the Trafford, South Manchester, and surrounding areas.

Challenger teams are embedded in every district across Greater Manchester and officers work relentlessly to disrupt and tackle criminal networks across the region.

This includes directly targeting those engaging in illegal activity and providing support for the victims and vulnerable people who are often exploited by them.

Detective Sergeant Paul Shacklady, from GMP’s Manchester Challenger team, said: “The work so far today has seen thousands of pounds worth of suspected Class A drugs seized, and five people arrested on suspicion of various drugs-related offences.

“Programme Challenger is dedicated to tackling serious and organised crime on the streets of Greater Manchester and this morning’s work exemplifies that. Every week, officers are working to ensure illicit drugs are off the streets and vulnerable people are protected from harm.

“We will continue to investigate all intelligence that comes into us, and I would urge anyone with any information to get in touch with us, either directly or anonymously.”

You can contact police via 101 or gmp.police.uk, or by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.