Nine arrested as cannabis worth over £6m seized in county lines operation in Manchester

A man from North Lanarkshire has been charged after over £6m worth of cannabis was seized during a massive multi-agency taskforce operation.

Craig Tomlinson from Motherwell was charged with the supply of Class B drugs after British Transport Police officers targeted key stations across Manchester on Monday and Tuesday last week while intelligence led to a search of three addresses.

The multi-agency operation, dubbed Op Blume, was led by a BTP specialist County Lines taskforce and deployed officers from the dog section, Neighbourhood Policing Team, Operational Support Unit, plain clothed officers and knife arches.

Tomlinson was among nine people arrested after 45 stop searches were conducted over the two days and three addresses were searched in Manchester, Rochdale and West Mercia.

Crack cocaine and heroin were also seized during the operation. British Transport Police via Supplied

A haul of cannabis worth £6.1m and heroin and crack cocaine were seized, while a knife and £30k in cash were also found during the search operation.

Two children were identified and referred to safeguarding services after officers made vital interventions on the rail network.

One adult was also safeguarded at a cuckooed address in the Manchester area.

Det. Supt Craig Payne from BTP’s County Lines Taskforce said: “This was a hugely successful operation which once again demonstrates the effectiveness of our specialist County Lines taskforce is dismantling and disrupting criminal networks and protecting young and vulnerable people from harm.

“Our dedicated team works across the whole rail network every day tackling this exploitative activity and is pivotal in intercepting the supply of drugs and making safeguarding interventions to protect vulnerable people from ruthless gangs.”

Amanda Radley from BTP's child exploitation team, Det Supt Craig Payne, and Manchester deputy Mayor Kate Green. — Amanda Radley from BTP’s child exploitation team, Det Supt Craig Payne, and Manchester deputy Mayor Kate Green. British Transport Police via Supplied

Xiaowu Chen, aged 56, from Manchester was also charged with being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs (Cannabis) while a 17-year-old from the West Mercia area was also charged with possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine and possession of criminal property.

Tomlinson, 50, appeared before Carlisle Magistrates on Thursday and was remanded in custody until his next appearance at Manchester Crown Court on December 12.

Det. Supt Craig Payne added: “Robust operations like this take place across the rail network every day to disrupt County Lines. Sometimes you’ll spot us, sometimes you won’t.

“Our mission remains to dismantle and disrupt criminal enterprises and to identify and safeguard those who are being exploited and relentlessly pursue those who have targeted them.

“We will not waver in our determination to stop the exploitation and associated harm caused by county lines gangs, making our communities and railways safer.

“We urge anyone using the rail network to report any concerns to us through our discreet text number 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 and to be aware that victims of exploitation may not always be obvious nor aware they are indeed victims.”