Drugs stash found in Oldham crime crackdown

A DRUGS stash was unearthed during a crime blitz in Oldham.

Officers discovered 22 cannabis plants and 11 large bags of dry cannabis during a series of raids in the town.

One person was cautioned in relation to the drugs find. Two other people were arrested during the operation and a stolen BMW car was recovered.

The day of action - which also involved The Department for Work and Pensions, Oldham Council, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency - included a community clean up and car checkpoint.

Oldham Council issued fixed penalty notices including a £300 fine to motorists for driving without an appropriate waste carriers licence. Elsewhere in Oldham a person was fined £80 for littering.

Inspector Gaynor Wardle, of Greater Manchester Police, said: “Communities have told us that they want to see criminals taken off the streets and I hope that today’s action highlights how seriously we take these crimes.

”I hope the work from this initiative shows and reassures our community that we will act on their concerns and on their information. We will continue to use all the powers and resources available to us and put people before the courts.”

The day of action, which was staged last Friday, is part of an ongoing effort to stop offenders profiting from crime. Anyone with a policing issue can contact the Oldham East and Oldham Town Centre Neighbourhood Policing Teams on 0161 856 9028 or 0161 856 8903 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

By Rochelle Travers