Night warrants in Withington bust drug dens

Under the cover of darkness during the evening of Monday 5 February 2024, supported by GMP’s specialist Tactical Aid Unit (TAU) and Tactical Dog Unit, officers from the local neighbourhood team conducted simultaneous drug warrants on two properties in the area of Old Moat, Withington.

Intelligence from officers patrolling Withington and neighbouring areas of Burnage, Fallowfield and Levenshulme, along with information from Crimestoppers, uncovered information to suggest the properties on nearby Ashford Road and Bradshaw Avenue were used in connection with drugs after a heightened presence since December.

Once warrants were conducted, an arrest was made on one of the streets of a 41-year-old woman who had failed to appear at court and was wanted as a result. She was subsequently transferred to custody after being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Following detailed searches of a house and a flat, a further arrest was made of 50-year-old man for being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs, with drugs paraphernalia also being seized from the property.

Inspector Victoria Holdsworth from the City of Manchester South district said; “I would like to reassure local residents and especially the community in Withington that our recent warrants were conducted after obtaining our own intelligence but also thanks to information received from the public anonymously through Crimestoppers.

“Drugs is one of our neighbourhood priorities and will not be tolerated on the streets of Greater Manchester or in our local communities. This is an example that we will continue to act on detail that suggests illegal activity is taking in place to keep our local area safe.

“Our patrols remain and with a better understanding of what our communities needs are, we are now able to continue to provide a heightened response.

“Bee In The Loop is also another direct line our communities can keep up-to-date with all our neighbourhood policing activity.”