GMP make more arrests in connection with cannabis importation plot

Image courtesy of GMP

Earlier this year, Greater Manchester Police launched a proactive operation to tackle a suspected criminal network responsible for the importation and distribution of cannabis.

In January, police arrested eight people in connection with this investigation, and yesterday morning (Thursday), GMP arrested a further six individuals, aged between 20 and 24 on suspicion of importation of cannabis.

Throughout this investigation, officers have seized 675.5 kilograms of cannabis and Border Force officials have intercepted several parcels.

Each package is estimated to be worth just over £5 million wholesale price and during the investigation police have seized £474,000 in cash.

It’s believed that each of the individuals have their own role to play in the conspiracy, ranging from orchestrating the importation of the drugs, to selling the drugs to customers across the UK, to allowing criminals to use their home addresses to send shipments to.

Detective Inspector Claire Rawcliffe, from GMP's Serious Organised Crime Group, said: “We know that organised criminal networks will seek to exploit infrastructure like the postal or fast parcel system to bring their illegal commodities into the UK undetected, but we are working closely and collaboratively with a variety of partners and colleagues to stop them.

“The cost and damage to lives that drugs cause our communities is incalculable, and by working with colleagues at Border Force, we’ve been able to prevent sizable quantities of drugs infiltrating our street and causing further harm and exploitation.”

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