Cash and drugs seized after police stop BMW in area known for 'dealers recruiting youths'
13.09.2023 - 11:55
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Bundles of cash and almost £100,000 worth of cannabis were seized after police stopped a BMW where youths are 'being recruited' for county lines drug dealing. Plain clothes officers descended on the Mesnes Park area, in Wigan, after being tipped off about the location being used by drug dealers to find vulnerable youngsters to exploit.
Greater Manchester Police says the officers spotted a blue BMW driving slowly past Wigan Youth Zone on Saturday (September 9). They observed men in the car looking at a group of teenagers, which GMP says raised its officers' suspicion.
Checks were done on the car, which showed it was registered outside of Greater Manchester, but only insured to a woman. One of the men was then spotted leaving the BMW and going inside a property.
Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features
Officers detained the driver before the second man was spoken to by officers after returning from the property. GMP says he was carrying an orange carrier bag, which was full.
Following further conversation with police, the man passed the bag over to officers. It was found to be containing around £50,000 in cash, wrapped in bundles of £1,000.
Police searched the BMW and discovered four large laundry bags, with each containing around 15 vacuum packed bags. Each of those bags contained 15kg of dried cannabis, with a total street value of £97,000.
Both men, aged 23 and 31, were arrested on suspicion of money laundering and possession with intent to supply cannabis. The incident was one of a number across a busy weekend for GMP's officers working as part of Operation Venture.
From Friday to Sunday (September 8 to 10), officers made five arrests, carried out six