Eight “suspected drug smugglers” have been arrested after a series of targeted police raids took place across the North West yesterday.
The arrests were part of what was a major Greater Manchester Police (GMP) operation targeting a suspected organised crime group that imported high-strength cannabis into the UK.
After GMP’s Serious Organised Crime Group (SOCG) coordinated 16 simultaneous warrants across Manchester, Cheshire, West Yorkshire, and Lancashire in the early hours of yesterday morning (Thursday 4 January), an organised crime group that was suspected to be facilitating the importation of cannabis from the US was targeted.
Police and partners from the Border Force intercepted over 100 kilos of cannabis during the raids, GMP confirmed.
During a search of the properties, police also recovered £500k cash, and a BMW M4.
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Following the series of targeted raids, a total of eight people – who are all between the ages of 18 and 52 – have been arrested on suspicion of importation of cannabis.
They currently remain in police custody for questioning.
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According to GMP, it’s believed that each of the now-arrested individuals had various roles within the conspiracy, and these roles ranged from orchestrating the importation, to arranging payment for the shipments, and selling the drugs to criminals across the UK.
A group of ‘suspected drug smugglers’ have been arrested after targeted raids across North West / Credit: GMP
GMP believes the total value of the cannabis seized so far to exceed the £3 million mark.
Speaking following the successful raids this week, Detective Inspector Claire Rawcliffe, who is from GMP’s Serious Organised Crime Group, commented: “I’m grateful to Border Force and colleagues from our neighbouring forces for the support they have provided to our ongoing operation and investigation.
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“So far, over £3 million of worth of cannabis has been seized.
“But we will continue to work with our partners to identify and prevent the new and innovative methods criminals take to smuggle illegal drugs into our country.”
Featured Image – GMP
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Mancs are being urged to bring tins of beans to upcoming gig – for a very wholesome reason
Lydia Mastrolonardo
Gig-goers in Manchester are being urged to bring tins of beans and other non-perishable items to a concert with them this month, for an excellent cause.
Squeeze are once again calling on fans, if they are able, to support UK charity helping those struggling this winter.
The band will be installing collection points at venues right across their tour, including their upcoming gig at the O2 Apollo in Manchester.
As Squeeze’s biggest ever UK headline tour, Tried, Tested and Trixies, joined by special guest Billy Bragg, launches this week, the iconic rock band are encouraging fans to help tackle food poverty by donating whatever they are able to.
Squeeze’s chosen charity, Trussell, is committed to alleviating nationwide poverty, through supplying emergency food and support to those in need and have been involved with the band for eight years and counting.
Since the beginning of the relationship back in 2018, generous fans attending Squeeze and Glenn Tilbrook shows have supported the initiative by donating an extraordinary 5.15 tons of food and raised £72,552 for Trussell’s food banks.
For the Manchester gig, collection points will be available at the O2 Apollo on Monday 23 November, where fans can donate non-perishable food items or make financial contributions towards the appeal. All donations will go directly to Trussell’s food banks, making a tangible difference to members of our communities.
It is important to note that fans are encouraged to check what their local food bank needs most before donating. Further guidance can be found HERE.
Glenn Tilbrook says: “When I first started collecting for food banks back in 2018, I had no idea how much our fans would take it to heart. The response has been overwhelming, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together.
“But it’s deeply troubling that, eight years later, so many people are still struggling to put food on the table. The need hasn’t gone away, and neither has our determination to help.
Squeeze are urging people to bring food bank donations to their gigs. Credit: Brett Jordan on Unsplash
“If you’re coming to see us, please bring something along if you can, whether it’s a few tins of food or a couple of pounds. The audiences have been brilliant in the past, and I’m hoping we can make this our biggest collection yet.”
Chris Difford adds: “Our fans have been absolutely incredible in the way they’ve supported Trussell over the years. It’s genuinely moving to see people arriving at our shows carrying bags of food, knowing that what they’ve brought will help someone in the local community.
“We’ve always been very lucky to have such loyal and generous audiences, and this is another reminder of just how special they are. We’re hoping everyone will get behind the collections again on this tour. Even a small donation can make a real difference.”
Food banks across the UK continue to face enormous pressure, especially during winter, with households struggling with the rising costs of heating, food and other essentials that many of us take for granted.
Trussell recently shared that food banks in its community provided more than 2.6 million emergency food parcels last year, with over 900,000 of those parcels for children, as well as the amount of parcels provided to the elderly more than tripling between 2019 and 2025.
Emma Revie, co-chief executive of Trussell, said: “Too many people this winter will be struggling to make ends meet, as families are forced to make impossible decisions like whether to put food on the table or turn their heating on.
“Shockingly, we expect our community of food banks to distribute around 600,000 emergency food parcels to people facing hunger and hardship this winter. This isn’t right, and we refuse to stand by while so many of us can’t afford to eat, keep warm and pay the bills.
“That’s why we are so grateful to Squeeze for supporting Trussell once again on their upcoming tour. The band and their fans generosity will make a huge difference and allow our food banks to continue providing vital support to people without enough money to live on.”
Aside from this initiative, Squeeze will also be donating £1 for every ticket sold throughout their 16-date UK tour, to support grassroots music venues, artists, and promoters, recognising the role the independent music scene plays in nurturing future generations.
This tour, celebrating the release of the band’s critically acclaimed new studio album, Trixies is to be one to remember, combining new music with classics such as ‘Up The Junction,’ ‘Cool For Cats,’ and ‘Tempted.’
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Trixies is both the band’s first studio album in eight years as well as being the first album the band ever wrote which has received widespread acclaim, with MOJO awarding it five stars.
Trust us this isn’t one to miss – click HERE to get your hands on some of the last remaining tickers of rthe Manchester gig.
‘Prolific’ South Manchester burglar jailed for thefts which included peanuts…
Daisy Jackson
A ‘prolific’ burglar has been jailed for just over two years, for numerous thefts including sunglasses, airpods, and peanuts…
The man was caught red-handed inside someone’s property, where he claimed he was just wanting a glass of water – but was found by police officers to have the resident’s car keys in his pocket.
Fazal Alnesi, 26, from Moss Side, was then linked to a number of other burglaries, attempted burglaries, and thefts across South Manchester.
Fazal was sentenced to 27 months at Manchester Crown Court last week after pleading guilty to offences including six counts of burglary in June of this year.
He was arrested on 12 June, when a man returned to his home in Fallowfield in the early hours of the morning and discovered Fazal inside his address.
He claimed he was there because he wanted a glass of water but subsequently refused to leave, which led to police being called.
Officers placed Alnensi in handcuffs and found the resident’s car keys in his pocket, as well as indications that he’d been rummaging through the man’s drawers.
He was later linked to other thefts include a wrench set from a car, a pedal cycle worth £350, airpods, sunglasses – and even peanuts from one address.
He additionally took an electric bike charger from one address worth hundreds of pounds.
PC Jon Holden, from GMP’s City of Manchester district, said: “Alnensi took various items from several homes and cars across a two-week period earlier this year, making off with hundreds of pounds worth of goods.
“Ultimately, Alnensi left people feeling unsafe in his own home, and I am glad he is now behind bars.
“Our team will investigate all burglaries, and I would encourage people to get in touch with us – all intelligence helps us lock up criminals and bring them to justice.”
Emily Sergeant -
5th January 2024 
