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Multi-million pounds worth of illegal drugs seized in raids by Irish and British police

SEVERAL million pounds worth of illegal medication has been seized in a series of raids by Irish and British police.

Six men were also arrested in the raids by PSNI and Greater Manchester Police carried out in Bury, Tameside and Cheetham Hill yesterday, October 17.

Code-named Operation Pyarr, the pharmaceutical drugs were seized in the multi-million pound international fraud operation between Britain and Northern Ireland, carried out by the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority alongside the PSNI and GMP.

A man in hand cuffs is led to a waiting police van during one of the raids. (Picture: GMP)

The six men were arrested on suspicion of supplying Class C drugs and remain in police custody for questioning.

Detective Chief Inspector Charlotte Cadden of GMP’s Bury Borough, said: “We have spent the past few months identifying where the public are able to get hold of these controlled drugs, and uncovering who is responsible.

A police officer during one of the raids in Greater Manchester. (Picture: GMP)

Some of the items recovered by officers during the raid. (Picture: PSNI)

“From our investigation, it is clear that this is a comprehensive operation, with genuine pharmaceuticals being unlawfully removed from the supply chain in Britain and then sold, illegally, online.

“I’m asking for the public to continue to report anything suspicious to the police, and ensure that we can look after the public who are taken in by drugs that they believe are legal.”

Chief Inspector Alan Hutton from the PSNI said: “While arrests have been made in Greater Manchester today, we are continuing with our investigations and are committed to finding those who facilitate the supply of illegal substances across Derry City and Strabane Policing District and indeed across Northern Ireland.

"I continue to appeal for the public to report anything suspicious to police."