Current timestamp: 20/07/2025 16:33:29
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal Activity[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-location' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Leave this site

Cookies

We use some essential cookies to make our website work. We’d like to set additional cookies so we can remember your preferences and understand how you use our site.

You can manage your preferences and cookie settings at any time by clicking on “Customise Cookies” below. For more information on how we use cookies, please see our Cookies notice.

Accept cookies Reject cookies Customise cookies

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.

Your cookie preferences have been saved. You can update your cookie settings at any time on the cookies page.

Sorry, there was a technical problem. Please try again.

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

Greater Manchester Police crest

  • Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Spiking
    • Stalking or harassment
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
    • Hate crime
  • Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
  • Back to Apply or register

    • Careers and volunteering
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Back to Request

    • Compensation for something the police have done
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
    • Request an update
  • Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Feedback about the website
    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
  • Your area
  1. ...
  2. News

Busy weekend for Operation Venture: 5 people arrested, 4 weapons and £97k worth of drugs seized

Main article content

News
Published: 09:59 13/09/2023

Officers from GMP’s Operation Venture team had a busy weekend across Greater Manchester.

A total of 5 arrests, 6 stop searches, 4 weapons seizures, 4 weapons sweeps and £97,000 worth of drugs and approximately £50,000 in cash were seized from 8-10 September 2023.

On Friday a 54-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery, attempted robbery and section 39 assault.

A 23-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon (a hammer).

On Sunday a 41-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.

Two men, a 31-year-old and a 23-year-old, were both arrested on suspicion of money laundering and possession with intent to supply cannabis.

Officers were deployed to hotspot areas in Wigan, Leigh, Trafford and Manchester city centre and patrols also conducted licensing visits at various premises.

As plain clothes officers walked through Mesnes Park on Saturday, they spotted a blue BMW driving slowly.

Recent intelligence suggested that people were using the location as a recruiting area for county lines drug dealing.

Officers have continued to observe the men. The men were seen looking at a group of teenagers which aroused the officers’ suspicion.

Checks were conducted on the car which showed it registered out of force but insured to a woman only. One of the men was seen leaving the vehicle and going inside an address.

Officers detained the driver and the second man came out of the address and was spoken to by officers.

He was carrying an orange carrier bag which was full. After further conversation he passed the bag over to officers.

Within the bag was bundles of cash approximately £50,000. The cash was wrapped in bundles of £1,000.

Upon searching the vehicle, officers found 4 large laundry bags. Within them was approximately 15 vacuum packed large bags containing 15kgs of dried cannabis, with a street value of £97,000.

Both men were arrested on suspicion of money laundering and possession with intent to supply cannabis.

Sergeant Mohammed Waqas of Operation Venture said: “Results such as these show that Operation Venture is succeeding in its goal of taking weapons and drugs off the streets and making Greater Manchester a safer place.

“The team managed to arrest 5 men and seized large amounts of weapons, drugs and criminal money during a busy weekend. By targeting hotspot areas, officers were able to put a dent on criminals who were eyeing up young people to be a part of their criminal enterprise.

“Our greatest asset is information provided by members of the public. If you have information about a crime taking place or concerns about violence in your area, I would urge you to report it to GMP as soon as possible.”

You can do so by calling 101 or via the website: www.gmp.police.uk

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Always dial 999 in an emergency.

Share

Footer navigation

Greater Manchester Police

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • News
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Campaigns
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Feedback

Partners

  • Partner services
  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • The Mayor of Greater Manchester
  • Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)

Follow us on

© Copyright 2025. All rights reserved.