Two men from Bolton have been charged following a major police operation that uncovered a cannabis farm with an estimated street value of £24 million, in what is being described as one of the largest seizures of its kind in UK history.
Major Raid at Rural Farm
The significant discovery was made by Greater Manchester Police during a raid on Friday at a property located at Leigh Tenement Farm in Blackrod, Bolton. Officers uncovered what they described as a large-scale and sophisticated illegal operation, housing a vast quantity of the Class B drug.
The two individuals arrested and charged are Musa Kala, 35, of Dunbar Drive, Bolton, and Raheem Latif, 27, of Leverhulme Avenue, Bolton. Both men face a single charge of conspiracy to supply cannabis.
Suspects Remanded in Custody
Following their arrest, Kala and Latif were remanded in custody over the weekend. They are scheduled to make their first court appearance at Manchester City Magistrates' Court on Monday.
Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop of Greater Manchester Police hailed the operation as a critical victory against organised crime. "Our officers uncovered a large-scale and sophisticated illegal operation at the location, housing a significant volume of illegal drugs," he stated.
A Major Blow to Criminal Networks
Harrop emphasised the wider impact of the seizure, stating, "This seizure marks a major success for our officers – it removes a major source of harm, disrupts criminal networks and helps make neighbourhoods safer."
The £24 million valuation places this operation among the most substantial cannabis seizures ever recorded in the United Kingdom. The bust underscores the ongoing efforts by police forces across the country to target and dismantle sophisticated drug production and distribution networks operating in both urban and rural settings.
