Police in Bolton seized two tonnes of cannabis worth £24m in a raid on Leigh Tenement Farm, arresting two men
Large Cannabis Seizure in Bolton
Police have seized huge quantities of cannabis from a rural farm in one of the UK’s largest drug busts.
Officers confiscated two tonnes of cannabis, valued at an estimated £24 million.
This seizure is believed to be one of the largest single cannabis seizures in the UK.
Details of the Raid
Leigh Tenement Farm in Blackrod, Bolton, was raided by police yesterday under a search warrant.
Greater Manchester Police were surprised by the discovery.
They uncovered a stash of cannabis with an estimated street value of £24 million.
Arrests Made
Two men, aged 27 and 35, are in custody for questioning after being arrested at the scene on suspicion of drug offences.
This large-scale seizure indicates an increase in organized drug gangs using rural areas to produce cannabis, a Class B drug, on an industrial level.
Official Statements
Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop from GMP’s Serious Crime Division stated, “Our officers uncovered a large-scale and sophisticated illegal operation at the location, housing a significant volume of illegal drugs.”
He added, “This seizure marks a major success for our officers – it removes a major source of harm, disrupts criminal networks, and helps make neighborhoods safer.”
Harrop emphasized that this action sends a clear message that such criminal activity will not be tolerated.
Ongoing Investigation
The investigation is ongoing.
This seizure follows a rise in cannabis confiscations at UK airports last year due to Thai smuggling gangs.
Statistics on Cannabis Seizures
| Year | Heathrow Seizures (tons) | Total Airport Seizures (tons) | Arrests at Heathrow |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5.6 | Almost triple | 430 |
| Previous Year | N/A | N/A | 134 |
Related Case
Recently, news emerged about a British teen facing years in a Qatari prison for trafficking cannabis.
Lino Neil was detained at Hamad International Airport in Doha with a suitcase filled with cannabis while returning from Thailand.
The 18-year-old claims he was forced to carry the drugs by a gang that threatened him and his family.
Neil spent Christmas “terrified” and alone in a prison cell.
His family is now facing high legal costs, preparing for a criminal trial in Qatar, which could reach up to £40,000.
