A colossal cannabis farm packed with hundreds of plants has been raided as part of a Greater Manchester Police operation to bring down a local organised crime gang.
Officers seized 200-300 plants from an address on Parkville Road in Prestwich on Thursday (June 3) morning.
The search was conduced following an arrest the previous day – with a driver in Harpurhey found carrying a large quantity of cash, an extendable baton, and a kitchen knife.
So far, two arrests have been made.
A 24-year-old man has been taken into custody on suspicion of the production of cannabis.
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A 28-year-old was arrested on suspicion of Money Laundering, Possession of an Offensive Weapon and a Bladed Article.
Two men have been arrested as part of the organised crime operation / Image: GMP
Detective Inspector Paul Crompton of GMP’s Intelligence Development Team called the arrests an “an excellent result” in “GMP’s fight to tackle the scourge of organised crime in our city.”
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He added: “Cannabis farms are well known [to] fund organised criminality, and the City of Manchester North Organised Crime Disruption Team, working in partnership with the Districts, will take every opportunity to disrupt their activities across the region.
“GMP often relies on intelligence supplied to them by members of the public. If you see anything suspicious, we encourage you to report it. You can contact Police via our LiveChat on our website www.gmp.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
“If you say something, we can do something.”
Bury
Bury woman, 87, dies of hypothermia after saying she couldn’t afford to turn her heating on
Emily Sergeant
An elderly woman from Bury has died from hypothermia after telling her GP she couldn’t afford to turn the heating on.
An inquest at Rochdale Coroner’s Court this week has heard that 87-year-old Barbara Bolton was admitted to Fairfield Hospital with hypothermia and a chest infection on 11 December last year after telling her GP that she could not afford to turn her heating on at her home on Dawson Street in Bury, the Manchester Evening News reports.
Ms Bolton – who was a mother and a widow, and had previously worked as a pharmacy assistant – tragically died on 5 January after her family made the decision to place her on end of life care.
Explaining Ms Bolton’s situation, Police Coroner’s Officer, Jane Scullion, told the hearing: “Barbara was admitted to hospital on December 11, 2022, with hypothermia, and a chest infection.
“She was referred to hospital by her GP who said this was related to her not being able to afford her heating and during that time she continued to deteriorate.
“After a discussion she was placed on end of life care and passed away.”
Dawson Street in Bury, where 87-year-old Barbara Bolton lived / Credit: Google Maps
Requesting statements from the doctor and asking for a medical cause of death to be provided, Assistant Coroner for Manchester North, Julie Mitchell, adjourned the inquest and said Ms Bolton’s death was “particularly accelerated” by hypothermia.
“Her death was particularly accelerated by hypothermia and there is a possibility of self neglect due to the lack of heating so her death has been referred to the coroner,” Ms Mitchell said.
Hypothermia is what happens when your body temperature drops below 35°C, and is usually caused by staying out in the cold for too long or not wearing enough clothes in cold weather, but according to the NHS, the condition can also be caused by living in a cold house – with older people living alone particularly at risk.
Following the inquest, Ms Bolton’s told the MEN: “We were in contact with her every day and saw her and spoke to her.
“We have to deal with the sad loss now and it’s very hard for me and my family.”
A full inquest to explore the circumstances leading to Ms Bolton’s death will take place at Rochdale Coroner’s Court later this year.
Featured Image – Google Maps
Bury
A literal tower with panoramic views has gone up for sale in Bury – and it’s only £600,000
Emily Sergeant
We all know that Greater Manchester is home to some pretty unique properties tucked away in all 10 boroughs of our region.
But this has to be, by far, one of the most special houses on the market at the moment.
Whether you realise it or not, there’s actually a castle-inspired home sat proudly in the highly-sought-after Bury village of Greenmount, and it comes with a literal turreted tower and panoramic views that stretch to the Peel Monument, over to Manchester city centre, and as far as the eye can see.
Tower Court is an impressive four-bedroom family home filled with character, exceptional features that really make the most of its architecture, and spacious accommodation set over five floors right to the top of the tower itself.
Set in the heart of Greenmount’s Kirklees Trail nature reserve, the home has the type of commanding views over surrounding fields that not many others can boast.
Estate agents Fine & Country describe the property as having an “unparalleled outlook”.
Externals of Tower Court and the surrounding views / Credit: Fine & Country
The development the property sits within in is accessed via a private electric-gated courtyard, which no doubt gives it the sense of grandeur a literal tower deserves.
The property enjoys a convenient, yet semi-rural location, while still being within easy reach of a range of local amenities, schools, shopping, and entertainment, as well as lots of walking routes in the open countryside.
While the Tower Court may look like you’ve taken a step back in time when you look at it from the outside, internally, it’s a different story, as estate agents praise the property for combing unique construction, styling, and thoughtfully-laid-out living space.
The property boasts modern touches and fittings, with little nods to character at every turn.
The main living room, kitchen / diner, bedroom, and family bathroom / Credit: Fine & Country
When it comes to the accommodation on offer, the property combines everything you would expect a contemporary home in 2023 to have – with a wide entranceway, plenty of open-plan living spaces, a kitchen / diner that’s ideal for entertaining, and a handful of reception rooms for all the family to make the most of.
The property also has four spacious double bedrooms, with the master bedroom boasting an en-suite shower room and a walk-in wardrobe.
The fourth and fifth floor are where you’ll find some of the most impressive features of the property though.
On the fourth floor is an entertainment lounge, bar, and cinema room, which is the perfect place to either relax after a long day or entertain guests, and then if you go up to the fifth floor, this is where you’ll find the property’s undoubted gem – the rooftop garden in the tower turret.
The entertainment lounge and the rooftop garden / Credit: Fine & Country
As well as all the impressive living spaces inside the property, externally, the property also comes with off-road parking spaces for several vehicles, and handy access to storage space within a separate communal garage area.
We can probably all agree that this is one of the most unique properties on the market in Greater Manchester now, can’t we?
And, even with all its unrivalled character and charm, Tower Court is only on the market for £600,000.
The Manc -
4th June 2021 
