Inside the huge drugs lab branded ‘one of the UK’s biggest cooking operations’

Greater Manchester Police officers have released images of some of the amphetamines discovered in a huge drug lab – believed to be “one of the biggest cooking operations in the UK”.

The “large-scale” lab was discovered by police at an address in Clitheroe, Lancashire, during a planned raid yesterday morning (June 13). Officers seized 60kg of drugs and a “significant quantity of chemicals”.

The drugs are believed to be amphetamines, a GMP spokesman said in an update published today. The lab is now being dismantled, with images showing huge bags and boxes of packaged medicine inside.

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A 77-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of money laundering and allowing premises to be used for the manufacture of class B drugs. The lab was discovered after a total of five warrants were executed by police in Wigan yesterday morning and Lancashire.

Three other men were also arrested in Wigan as part of the investigation. The men – a 62-year-old and a 52-year-old from Wigan and a 43-year-old from Leigh – were all arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to manufacture class B drugs and money laundering.

All four suspects are in police custody awaiting questioning by detectives. Officers also seized cash and “property suspected of being the proceeds of crime” from the Wigan properties.

The properties were searched by officers from Greater Manchester Police, as well as officers from Lancashire Police, the Regional Organized Crime Unit (ROCU), the National Crime Agency and Greater Manchester and Lancashire Fire Services. Police said the huge drug operation allegedly “fueled violence, exploitation and squalor” in the communities.

Detective Inspector Patrick Wood, from GMP Wigan Challenger Organized Crime Group, said: “As part of our large-scale drugs and money laundering investigation, we seized a large quantity of amphetamines and dismantled a laboratory; it is believed to be one of the greatest cooking products. police operations discovered in the UK.

“There is no doubt that these drugs would have been sold in communities fueling the violence, exploitation and squalor that we have prevented today through proactive policing. We work closely and collaboratively with a variety of partners in our pursuit of tackling organized crime groups and preventing harm.

“Our work at the site continues as we gather evidence and work with emergency service colleagues, agencies and experts to assess the chemicals found, dismantle and safely dispose of them.”

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