Action on dealers in Manchester city centre

Tuesday, 21 March 2017 07:00

Greater Manchester Police’s city centre neighbourhood policing team is taking action on Spice dealers in the city centre as part of operation Mandera to tackle antisocial behaviour and crime in and around Piccadilly Gardens.

Twenty two arrests have been made in the past week for various crimes, including six for suspicion of possession of Spice with intent to supply. Two of these six arrests for possession of Spice with intent to supply resulted in charges.

Since the 13^th of March, officers dedicated to the operation have arrested:

Seven men on suspicion of possession of drugs and/or psychoactive substances with intent to supply

A man wanted for a series of robberies and four men wanted for other matters

Two men in possession weapons, including a knife and an imitation firearm

Operation Mandera was launched in 2013 to tackle antisocial behaviour and crime. Since then, 44 people have been jailed for a combined total of over 90 years for dealing cannabis. 37 dealers have also received Criminal Behaviour Orders, banning them from entering the Piccadilly area.

Inspector Phil Spurgeon from Greater Manchester Police said: “We cannot allow a situation to develop where Spice takes root in Manchester city centre, especially as some of those we have caught dealing have been found with weapons. It is also concerning that recent testing has shown the presence of substances which leave users in a vulnerable catatonic state, often requiring medical assistance.”

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