Police make £6,000 drug bust in heart of Manchester's studentland as new term begins
Plain-clothed officers thought they were witnessing a robbery near All Saints Park but realised they had interrupted a drug deal. Cocaine, MDMA, ketamine and ecstasy were found in a vehicle on Lower Ormond Street.
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Police made a £6,000 drug bust in the heart of Manchester's student district as thousands of new and returning students arrive for the start of term.
Plain-clothed officers from the City of Manchester Robbery Tasking Team were on Lower Ormond Street, near All Saints Park just off Oxford Road, when they spotted a man and woman "acting suspiciously." At first they thought it was a robbery. It quickly became apparent they had interrupted a suspected drug deal.
A search of a nearby vehicle uncovered around £6,000 worth of drugs, including suspected cocaine, MDMA powder, ketamine, ecstasy tablets, cannabis resin and herbal cannabis. A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing Class A and B drugs with intent to supply.
What did police say?
Inspector Leon McLaughlin said: "This is an excellent example of proactive policing. Our officers spotted something that didn't look right, acted on their instincts and ultimately removed a significant quantity of suspected drugs from our streets."
He added: "Thousands of students are currently arriving in Manchester for the new academic year and we want them to be able to enjoy everything the city has to offer safely. Our officers will continue to patrol areas popular with students, including residential areas and the night-time economy, to tackle criminality and ensure people feel safe."
He warned: "Anyone looking to supply illegal drugs in our city should know that our officers are out there, both in uniform and plain clothes, and we will take action when we suspect criminal activity."
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where did the drug seizure take place?
- The suspected drugs were found in a vehicle on Lower Ormond Street, near All Saints Park and Oxford Road in Manchester's student district.
- What types of drugs were recovered by police?
- Officers seized an estimated £6,000 worth of suspected illegal substances, including cocaine, MDMA powder, ecstasy tablets, ketamine, and cannabis.
- Why are police increasing patrols in the area?
- Greater Manchester Police are stepping up both plain-clothed and uniformed patrols to ensure safety and deter crime as thousands of students arrive for the new academic year.