Community Tip-Offs Lead to Drug Seizure and Arrest in Middleton

Wednesday, 9 April 2025 09:30

By David Murphy

Police in Middleton have seized a quantity of drugs and made an arrest following a proactive operation prompted by local community intelligence.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police's Middleton Neighbourhood Policing Team launched the initiative in the Cheapside area after residents raised concerns about suspected drug activity in the neighbourhood.

The operation culminated at around 3.30pm on Tuesday 8 April when a vehicle was stopped by officers on Cardinal Mews. Inside the car, police discovered snap bags of crack cocaine, heroin, and cannabis, alongside cash, weighing scales, two weapons – a machete and a knife – mobile phones, and business cards believed to be linked to drug distribution.

A 30-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs. He remains in custody as investigations continue.

Sergeant James Donnelly of the Middleton team praised both public engagement and police vigilance, saying:

“Thanks to the vigilance of officers on patrol in the area, we have been able to seize drugs that would have been destined for our streets and make a positive arrest.

Those involved in the supply of drugs in this community are not only helping to sustain an illicit trade which relies on exploitation, violence, and intimidation, but it is directly impacting the quality of the lives of those who are hardworking and law-abiding.

This is a great result for the local operation, and I am sure plenty more will come thanks to the intelligence we are receiving from the public who have had enough of criminals operating in the area.”

GMP are encouraging anyone with further information on local criminal activity to come forward. If you're not comfortable contacting police directly, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.