GMP wanted unit trace outstanding man in connection with international drug importation conspiracy

This morning (Friday 20 December 2024), our Force Critical Wanted Unit traced a man to an address on Conniston Road, Reddish, and he has now been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs.

Earlier this year, UK Border Force colleagues intercepted a parcel at a depot in London. The information was passed to Greater Manchester Police, and specialist detectives quickly launched a proactive investigation to identify who was involved.

Yesterday morning, officers from our Serious Organised Crime Group executed four warrants across Greater Manchester to arrest individuals we believe are responsible for importing large volumes of drugs from the Caribbean.

At the properties, police recovered approximately £120,000 cash, four kilos of cocaine, 32 ounces of ketamine, 10,000 MDMA pills and other illicit drug items.

In connection to this ongoing investigation, we have charged two men, aged 45 and 53, with conspiracy to import class A drugs, cultivating cannabis, and possession with intent to supply class A and B drugs. They have been remanded to prison ahead of further hearings.

This is the latest activity which comes under Operation Concept, our dedicated initiative targeting ‘fast parcels’, tackling criminals who are exploiting international postal services and courier companies to deliver drugs across Greater Manchester.

Detective Inspector James Coles from our Serious Organised Crime Group said: “People think they’re reducing the risk of being caught by using parcel deliveries rather than the more traditional methods like street dealing, but this couldn’t be further from the truth.

“Across Greater Manchester Police, we’re working closely with Border Force and international law enforcement agencies to intercept these packages and build strong intelligence pictures which will assist us in securing convictions for these types of offenders and ultimately prevent them from harming our communities.”