Seven people have been arrested and cannabis farms shut down in a huge day tackling suspected OCGs across Rochdale.

The day of action has been in the works for several months, building on intelligence which has been gathered across multiple areas of Rochdale’s district, including Heywood, Middleton, and Newhey.

Involving more than 50 officers across six different addresses, the early morning warrants resulted in significant discoveries and arrests of people suspected of being involved in organised criminality.

The action saw the involvement of neighbourhood, organised crime, and county line teams in a concentrated effort to disrupt and deter.

The arrests included several people suspected of being involved in organised criminality across the district:

• A 33-year-old man and 33-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and abstracting electricity.
• A 61-year-old man and 61-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis and abstracting electricity.
• A 35-year-old man arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.
• A 28-year-old man arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs.
• A 78-year-old man arrested on suspicion of handling stolen property.

All remain in custody for questioning and enquiries are ongoing.

Across the multiple properties were three cannabis farms comprising a substantial amount of plants, growing equipment, and sophisticated set-ups.  Other items recovered included significant quantities of cash, class A drugs, and a suspected stolen vehicle.

The action marks a significant day of work in the wider area, in response to issues in Heywood, Middleton and beyond.

Officers will continue to progress the investigations over the coming weeks, looking to secure charges and appropriate punishments where necessary.

Inspector Graham Cooke, from GMP’s Heywood and Middleton team, said: “This day has been a long-time coming, and has seen a huge amount of work put into its preparation and execution.

“Dozens of officers have assisted in the work today, putting a firm stamp on OCGs who terrorise and disrupt communities across our areas. This is the exact sort of work that we know people want to see I am glad we have secured multiple arrests and drug seizures.

“We will now look to start putting together files for the CPS where possible, while continuing our work to tackle crime wherever we find it.”