Bags of suspected cannabis dumped in Bolton and Bury canal

The material was believed to have been dumped overnight into the Manchester, Bolton and Bury canal near close to the Bolton border with Radcliffe.

Several black bags were dumped into the water, and a wire fence was damaged which is thought to have been the access point.

damage was made to a wire fence, which is believed to have been the used access point (Image: Tracey Owen)

by those responsible.

Eric Owen, of Little Britain Anglers found the bags on March 17 and said the waste posed a risk to the canal environment.

He said: “The chemicals used to grow the cannabis wouldn’t be good for wildlife and invertebrates.

“It’s extremely difficult to remove once it’s in the water because it becomes very heavy when soaked.”

The dumped cannabis has since been taken out of the canal by anglers Tracey and Eric Owen and placed on the side of the banking, where it can decompose naturally.

According to Eric, this is not the first time they have dealt with cannabis in the canal (Image: Tracey Owen)

Tracey said: “There are still a few leaves and bits which should rot down.

“We’re going back to rake the soil in a couple of days.

“I presume someone had to get rid of it, but why the canal, who knows?”

The pair who regularly clean up alongside and in the waterways said they are frustrated as it is an ‘ongoing’ issue in waterways across the area.

Similar incidents have been reported in the past, including the discovery of cannabis irrigation equipment in the canal.

In 2021 bags, which were left strewn across the weir, close to Rock Hall, in Moses Gate Country Park, full on cannabis by-products.far