Op Venture make a proactive arrest of a suspected drug dealer in a Levenshulme park

On Wednesday 3 January 2024 at around 11am, officers from GMP’s Operation Venture team were deployed to the City of Manchester district and whilst on patrol in Levenshulme came across a person acting suspiciously by plain clothed officers.

After further observation officers attempted to question the person who made off on foot before being pursued and detained on Gatling Avenue.

Following a positive stop-search a 17-year-old boy was subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, money laundering and assaulting an emergency worker. He has since been questioned and released on police bail pending further enquiries.

This was after an amount of drugs was found on his person along with cash and a burner mobile phone that was active at the time from suspected users. Further drugs were found following a search in police custody.

A house search was then conducted in conjunction with intelligence received and located in the bedroom was a safe with approximately £2,500 inside which was seized under the proceeds of crime act.

Sergeant Paul Heap from GMP’s Operation Venture team said, “This is another example of the work we do daily in targeting criminals whilst in the act.

“Our plain clothed officers are key part of stopping crime whilst remaining undetected and is one of our main tactics with a sole focus on tackling knife and violent crime across Manchester, which drugs plays a big part in.

“We will continue to deploy to our hotspot areas to disrupt, deter and detain offenders and anyone with information that may help us is encouraged to make contact with any detail anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”