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Over 300 cannabis plants worth £40,000 seized after police raid house in Stockport

Raids followed growing concerns from the local community.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 9th October 2023

Hundreds of cannabis plants worth a whopping £40,000 have been seized after police raided an unassuming house in Stockport.

Following growing concerns and several reports made to police from members of the local community, Stockport’s Central Neighbourhood Team and specialist units were able to work together in gathering sufficient intelligence that allowed them to execute a warrant at a property on Avenue Street in the Portwood area of Stockport.

The warrant was issued by the court under the Misuse of Drugs act, according to Greater Manchester Police (GMP).

After the warrant was issued, officers raided the terraced property during the early hours of last Friday morning (6 October), and a “significant number” of cannabis plants were subsequently discovered and seized.

Over 300 cannabis plants were seized from the property, with an estimated street value of £40,000, according to GMP.

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“Greater Manchester Police won’t tolerate the cultivation of cannabis or supply of drugs and will always take decisive action,” commented Central Stockport’s Neighbourhood Inspector, John Picton, after the raids last week.

“Proactively combating the production, supply and possession of drugs is a huge priority, we will continue to execute further warrants across Stockport and will continue to apprehend those responsible for cultivating, selling, and distributing illegal drugs and substances in our community.

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Over 300 cannabis plants worth £40,000 seized after police raid house in Stockport / Credit: GMP

“Our response officers, Neighbourhood teams, and proactive units are committed to supporting the community, building public trust and confidence [and] will continue to work collaboratively with partners and the community to combat crime, bringing offenders to justice.”

Inspector Picton also took the time to thank the local community for “voicing their concerns about problems and crime in their area”.

He added that this is “extremely helpful” to neighbourhood policing teams.

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“This can help us build a greater picture on crime across Greater Manchester and allow us to target crime effectively,” he concluded.

Featured Image – GMP

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Public warned not to approach wanted man last spotted in Piccadilly Gardens

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Shaun Paul Smith - Public warned not to approach wanted man last spotted in Piccadilly Gardens. Credit: GMP

Police have launched an appeal to trace a wanted man who absconded during a visit from a secure unit.

The public are being warned not to approach Shaun Paul Smith, who also goes by the name Aemon Martin.

A confirmed sighting of the 60-year-old at a Tesco Express on Piccadilly Gardens was caught on CCTV at 8.30am yesterday morning (30 April).

GMP is now assisting with Lancashire Police’s appeal after enquiries traced him to Manchester city centre.

Smith absconding during a visit to Preston on Thursday 25 April and was caught on CCTV on Bank Street in Rawtenstall the following day.

Shaun is described as white, with grey hair, a slim build, a beard and moustache.

He was last seen wearing a hat, cream jeans, grey/red t-shirt, grey cardigan, black coat, black trainers and a backpack.

The public have been warned not to approach Shaun Paul Smith. Credit: GMP
The public have been warned not to approach Shaun Paul Smith. Credit: GMP

CCTV images and a photo of Smith’s face have also been released by police as part of the appeal to trace him.

But if spotted, the public are urged ‘do not approach him’ and instead report sightings urgently to the police.

Smith has links to Blackburn and Accrington town centres, but is believed to be in the City Centre area of Manchester.

GMP said: “We’re asking the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings to us and if you see him, please do not approach him but contact us on 999 quoting Log 1118 of 30/4/2024.”

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Featured image: GMP

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A rare giant otter has been born at Chester Zoo and its arrival could help save a species

Danny Jones Danny Jones Rare male otter arrives at Chester Zoo

More happy news over at Chester Zoo as a rare giant otter has just arrived at the best zoo in the UK and, surprise, surprise, he’s a cutey.

The rare species, originally from the Guyanas to Central-North Argentina and which once spread across other parts of South America, is currently at risk of going extinct altogether but the addition of this new male otter could help bring it back from the brink.

Arriving at the end of April, this fine young fellow has now joined his new female partner, Tibiri, as part of a crucial international conservation breeding programme.

Manchester, meet Manú, Chester Zoo‘s newest and most camera-ready animal.

Manú, the rare and giant male otter, makes his Chester Zoo debut.

Zookeepers have now released the first heartwarming images of the otters meeting for the very first time, where they can be seen swimming and playing together and, judging by how loud and vocal the pair have been, it looks like they’re already getting on like a house on fire.

With no more than 5,000 giant otters remaining across the whole of South America, conservationists are hopeful the duo will go on to have pups in the near future.

The decline in numbers is a result of mass-scale deforestation, water pollution and illegal hunting in the region. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed the species as endangered back in 2020 and it’s now the job of places like Chester and other Zoos to stop them from going extinct.

Three-year-old Manú – who travelled all the way from Budapest Zoo in Hungary – is said to have been genetically matched with Tibiri, 8, giving the species the best possible chance at a more secure future.

global giant otter population
otters at chester zoo
A handsome boy already cosying up to his new mate. (Credit: Chester Zoo)

The species, which can grow up to nearly two metres in length and 30kg in weight (the largest of all otter species, as the name would suggest) has sadly already been declared extinct in Uruguay and its ancestral home of Argentina. There are thought to be less than 5,000 left in the entire world.

But that’s where the likes of Manú and Tibir come in: they could help popular future generations of the giant otter and hopefully see them return to lakes, rivers and wetlands in numbers one day.

Speaking on the arrival, Chester Zoo Carnivore Keeper, Anna Starkey, said: “Since arriving at the zoo only a few days ago, Manú has settled into his new surroundings very quickly… So far we’ve seen really positive signs between the two and they can be heard using a range of vocalisations while playfully swimming together, which shows us that they’ve instantly bonded.

“[They’re] apex predators in the South American ecosystems and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of freshwater habitats. They do this by hunting prey populations, keeping the health and biodiversity of their environments in check. But sadly, the wild population feel enormous pressures from pollution and mass deforestation which continue to threaten their survival altogether.”

cute otters
clips of otters eating
They’re nicknamed ‘river wolves’ for their razor-sharp teeth, muscular bodies and skilled hunting. (Credit: Supplied)

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Each giant otter typically has unique markings of white or cream fur on their throat and under their chin, which allows every individual to be identified by experts.

Unusually though, Manú does not have any markings and his throat is chestnut brown, which makes him easily identifiable from his new lady friend.

Starkey added: “It will now be the role of conservation zoos like ours to play a pivotal role in turning the tide and safeguarding their future on the planet.”

Welcome to the North West, Manú.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Chester Zoo

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