News Beat
Two men charged following multi-million Blackrod drugs bust
On Friday (January 9), officers executed a warrant at a property on Leigh Tenement Farm in Blackrod.
They seized an estimated 2,000kg of cannabis – the same weight as a white rhino – with an estimated street value of around £24 million.
Police said this is believed to be one of the largest single UK seizures of cannabis.
Musa Kala, 35, of Dunbar Drive, Bolton, and Raheem Latif, 27, of Leverhulme Avenue, Bolton, have both been charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis.
Both men have been remanded in custody and are due to appear at Manchester City Magistrates’ Court on Monday, January 12.
‘Large-scale and sophisticated illegal operation’
Police announced the drugs bust yesterday (January 10), estimating it to be one of the country’s largest single seizures.
Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop, from GMP’s Serious Crime Division, said: “Our officers uncovered a large-scale and sophisticated illegal operation at the location, housing a significant volume of illegal drugs.
“This seizure marks a major success for our officers – it removes a major source of harm, disrupts criminal networks and helps make neighbourhoods safer.
“Our work demonstrates the ongoing commitment to targeting large-scale drug production and distribution and is key in safeguarding vulnerable people.
“It sends a clear message that this kind of criminal activity will not be tolerated and our officers will work hard to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
