Ten kilo cocaine discovery one of Wigan police's biggest to date

Officers from GMP Wigan's team tackling organised crime in the town yesterday made one of their largest ever cocaine discoveries when over 10kilos of the suspected drug were found at an address in the Newtown area.

Our Challenger team, supported by the District Tasking Team, made the finding when executing a search warrant at the property after launching an investigation into a class A drugs conspiracy after receiving intelligence.

Upon entering the address on Friday (13 August) afternoon, officers found pad locked tool boxes full of the packaged white powder in the living room and bedroom areas of the house.

It is estimated that in excess of 10kilos of cocaine were found in the address, as well as at least five kilos of mixing agents, drugs production and mixing equipment, a Kilo of Cannabis and approximately 5,000 blister packs of prescription drugs.

A 42-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of Class A, B and C drugs with intent to supply and taken to custody for questioning. She has since been released on bail pending further enquiries.

This is one of several significant seizures made by GMP Wigan's Challenger team during the last 18 months as they continue their offensive on organised crime in the borough.

It follows on from their successful prosecution of four men responsible for producing a massive 400kilos of heroin adulterant at an industrial unit in the area.

They have also uncovered a further long-standing cocaine supply conspiracy, and dismantled another Organised Crime Group responsible for the large scale supply of crack cocaine and heroin, and violent attacks on rival gangs.

Detective Sergeant Simon Monks, of GMP Wigan's Challenger team, said: "Yesterday saw one of the most significant seizures that our team has made from a warrant execution at a residential premises, and thankfully we have ensured this huge amount of class A drugs have been intercepted and stopped from infiltrating our streets where it was no doubt destined for".

"It's really important that the public know that their calls to police or to Crimestoppers are being acted upon, and this action was on the back of Intelligence provided by members of the public that gave us enough information to go to an address and make this discovery".

"I urge anyone with information or suspicions or concerns about Organised criminal activity in their area to contact police online via www.gmp.police.uk or call 101. Details can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency."