Two people have been arrested after a ‘large’ amount of Class A drugs and cash was seized by police in Wythenshawe.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that officers from Wythenshawe’s Neighbourhood Team managed to execute a warrant to search an address on Bideford Drive in South Manchester last Friday morning (21 July), and after gaining entry to the property, they found and seized a significant number of items.
Thousands of pounds of cash, a large quantity of Class A drugs, multiple mobile phones, and even a quantity of Class C drugs were all found and seized by officers.
Everything recovered was said to be “consistent with a drugs operation”, GMP revealed.
Officers from Wythenshawe’s Neighbourhoods Team carried out a warrant yesterday morning (Friday 21 July 2023) at an address on Bideford Drive, South Manchester, where two people were arrested.
— Wythenshawe Police (GMP) (@GMPWythenshawe) July 22, 2023
As well as the successful seizure, two people were also arrested by officers at the scene – a 41-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman, who have been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
Sergeant Hanif, from Wythenshawe’s Neighbourhood Team, has hailed the success of this latest operation as “a great result” for the community, but is now appealing to Greater Manchester residents to report any activity in their local areas that they believe to be suspicious.
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“This is all part of our fight to remove dangerous and illegal substances from our streets,” Sergeant Hanif explained.
Police arrest two and seize ‘large’ amounts of Class A drugs and cash in Wythenshawe / Credit: GMP
“We are committed to tackling this type of criminality that blights our communities, and as a team we are dedicated to making our streets safer for those who live and work in the area, [so] I’d like to take this opportunity to appeal to members of the public for information.
“If you’ve noticed any suspicious activity in your area, or you suspect drug dealing or production in your area, we will act on this information.”
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Do you feel there may be criminal activities taking place in your neighbourhood?
GMP is encouraging people report it to 101, or speak to officers via the Live Chat function on the website here, or alternatively, information can also be shared anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Members of the community can also engage via Bee In the Loop – which is a direct line to the neighbourhood policing team in each district within Greater Manchester.
You’ll just sign up to beeintheloop.co.uk to receive free text or email alerts to keep you in the loop about what’s happening on your street and in your local community.
FeFeatured Image – GMP
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RFL give the go-ahead for a new Salford rugby league team
Danny Jones
The Rugby Football League (RFL) have given the go-ahead for a new Salford rugby league team in the New Year.
Rejoice, Salfordians – the Red Devils as you know them might be done, but it looks like a Phoenix is rising very soon.
However, following a consortium bid led by a former player, it now looks as though the local community will be starting a new sporting era in 2026. You can read the RFL’s statement in full down below.
As you can see, the English governing body has agreed to grant the new Salford-based rugby league team Championship status in time for the start of next season.
The Red Devils were officially relegated back in October, following months of uncertainty surrounding their unpaid debts and having to rely on loan players to field squads.
It’s unclear whether the new Salford side will carry on under the well-established brand and logo, or whether they fresh start will include a new Greater Manchester moniker.
There is, of course, an obvious choice as retired winger Mason Caton-Brown has been confirmed as one of at least three key investors following his ‘Phoenix Bid’ to resurrect the club earlier this month.
Following the official announcement on Monday (22 Dec), fan group The 1873 have now expressed their gratitude and support regarding the new investment, adding: “The strength of this club has always been its people and that must remain true in this new chapter.”
We would like to congratulate The Phoenix Bid on being awarded RFL membership and becoming custodians of Salford Rugby League 👏
Fans must fully back the new board as we move into 2026. We have a responsibility to ensure that this is as successful as it can be. pic.twitter.com/BZEwzS0zC6
Caton-Brown had already insisted that the new leadership group had reached multiple pre-contract agreements with players and a new head coach.
While it’s obviously a big result to be gearing up just a few weeks after seemingly folding as a competitive side, the owners are now racing to get a full squad ready to face Oldham in their season opener on 16 January.
Meanwhile, ex-Salford Red Devils stars Paul Rowley and Adam Sidlow have now joined the coaching staff at St Helens.
Featured Images — Anthony Parkes (via Geograph)/Publicity picture (supplied)
News
Two men jailed after series of Porsche thefts across Greater Manchester totalling £1m
Emily Sergeant
Two men have been handed prison sentences following a series of Porsche thefts across Greater Manchester.
An investigation into the actions of Eidmantas Sadauskas and Vytautas Ceponis, both of no fixed abode, by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) began back in January of this year.
Described as being ‘sophisticated’ operation, the pair used equipment and tools to disable the vehicle security alarms and gain access to them, before they would then clone the vehicles, using different registration plates to allow them to slip under the radar.
In total, 25 Porsches – estimated, in total, as being approximately £1 million – were linked to the theft series and identified as having been taken by Sadauskas and Ceponis.
The thefts occurred across Greater Manchester – including in Salford, Bury, Trafford, Manchester, and Stockport – and it’s believed they were being stolen to be sold on for illegal gain.
The thefts occurred between January and October 2025, according to police, before the investigation began.
A comprehensive investigation Stockport’s Neighbourhood Crime Team (NCT) found that Sadauskas and Ceponis were mapped out as being in the areas of the crimes as they occurred, and the vehicles involved in the thefts were additionally identified as being linked to them.
The pair subsequently pleaded guilty to conspiring to steal motor vehicles at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court in late November, before their sentencing last Friday.
Ceponis was jailed for four years for conspiring to steal motor vehicles, while Sadauskas was jailed for four-and-a-half years for conspiring to steal motor vehicles.
Several of the Porsches have since been recovered, and police say work remains ongoing to locate the outstanding vehicles and reunite them with their owners.
“No one should have their property taken from them,” commented PC Chris Hopkins, from GMP’s Stockport NCT. “As officers in the Neighourhood Crime Team, we work proactively to tackle these sorts of offences and punish those responsible.
Emily Sergeant -
25th July 2023 
