MORE than £20,000 worth of cannabis has been seized by police after they raided two houses.

Officers from the Operation Support Unit (OSU) and the Divisional Task Force swooped on homes on Mortimer Street in Higginshaw at about 8am on Saturday.

In the first house, police discovered 46 cannabis plants that had been produced in an upstairs bedroom worth about £20,000. About £300 of cannabis resin was also seized along with electrical goods believed to have been stolen includings computers, monitors and TVs.

A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of producing cannabis and has been bailed until 17 March 2009 pending further inquiries.

At the second house, officers found a significant amount of herbal cannabis worth about £500 and equipment suspected of being used in its production. A 40-year-old man and a 19-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class C drugs and producing cannabis. They have been bailed until 17 March 2009 pending further inquiries.

The swoop was part of Operation Resolute, which was launched to combat burglary, robbery and vehicle crime in Oldham.

The plants have been recovered for forensic analysis and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) visited the area to provide reassurance to residents.

Police Constable Kevin Rawcliffe, from Operation Resolute, said: "This was an excellent result and a great start to the New Year for police in Oldham.

"We have stopped thousands of pounds worth of cannabis from getting onto the streets, which is a great achievement. The damage these illegal drugs can cause is massive, but often the use of drugs leads to other serious crimes so it is very pleasing to have recovered such a large amount.

"We will continue to target people who engage in this sort of criminality throughout 2009 and send a clear message this behaviour will not be tolerated and anyone who turns to a life of crime can look forward to spending time looking at the walls of a prison cell.

"As part of the operation, we are specifically targeting offenders who commit burglary and robbery and who handle or receive stolen property."

Anyone with information about cannabis production or drug-dealing in their area should call Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

  • IN A separate operation, two people have been arrested and hundreds of cannabis plants recovered in Werneth.

    Officers executed a warrant at a house on St Johns Street, shortly before 11.45am today, (Monday).

    Approximately 300 cannabis plants have been recovered as well as equipment used to cultivate the drug.

    A man and woman have been arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and abstracting electricity. They remain in police custody for questioning.

    Police Sergeant Trevor Harrison, from the Oldham West Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "This is a fantastic result whereby we have uncovered yet another cannabis farm in the Wernerth area and have taken thousands of pounds worth of drugs off our streets.

    "I would like to thank the local community for their help in providing the information that has led to today's warrant.

    "Local residents are the eyes and ears of the community and the information you give us is vital in our fight against drugs.

    "I would urge anyone with any information or suspicions about drug activity to continue to contact police."

    Anyone with any information is asked to call Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050, or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

    Residents in the Wernerth area are encouraged to attend local Key Individual Network meetings. The next KIN meeting will be held at Christchurch on Block Lane on 29 January 2009.