Inside the huge drugs lab branded 'one of largest cooking operations in the UK'
14.06.2024 - 11:33
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Greater Manchester Police officers have released pictures of some of the amphetamines uncovered in a huge drugs lab - which is believed to be 'one of largest cooking operations in the UK'.
The 'large-scale' lab was discovered by police at an address in Clitheroe, in Lancashire, during a planned raid yesterday morning (June 13). Officers seized 60kg of drugs and a 'significant amount of chemicals'.
The drugs are believed to be amphetamines, a GMP spokesperson said in an update issued today. The lab is now being dismantled, with pictures showing huge bags and boxes of packed drugs inside.
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A 77-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of money laundering and permitting premises to be used to produce Class B drugs. The lab was uncovered after a total of five warrants were carried out by police yesterday morning across Wigan and Lancashire.
Three other men were also arrested in Wigan as part of the probe. The men - a 62-year-old and 52-year-old from Wigan and a 43-year-old from Leigh - were all arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to produce Class B drugs and money laundering.
All four suspects are in police custody waiting to be quizzed by detectives Officers also seized cash and 'items suspected of being proceeds of crime' from the Wigan properties.
The properties were raided by Greater Manchester Police officers, as well as officers from Lancashire Police, the Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCUs), National Crime Agency, and Greater Manchester and Lancashire fire services. Police said the huge drugs operation would have been 'fuelling violence, exploitation, and misery' across communities.
Detective Inspector Patrick Wood,