A major cannabis farm has led to thousands of pounds worth of criminal assets being seized - including luxury watches and vintage champagne bottles in the borough. 

As of Monday, February 12, police officers from Oldham, Manchester and Bury raided properties across the region and uncovered thousands of pounds, designer clothes, watches, vintage champagne and luxury watches, cars and caravans.

The force believes the suspected criminal assets, which have all been seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act, link back to a million-pound cannabis farm that was found on Mill Street in Oldham in October last year.

Intelligence suggests the cannabis farm may be connected to several other criminal enterprises across Greater Manchester.

%image('17760328', type="article-full", alt="GMP uncovered a million pound cannabis farm in Oldham last year")

One warrant that was carried out at an address on Carlisle Close in Whitefield found more than £50,000 in cash, 18 luxury watches, including Rolex, Cartier, Tag Heuer and Breitling, nine electric mountain bikes and 68 bottles of high end, vintage champagne, many of which are believed to be collectables.

An additional four luxury vehicles, documents for multiple luxury caravans in the Lake District and thousands of pounds worth of designer clothing were also found.

A 36-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to produce cannabis, possession with intent to supply, money laundering, production of cannabis and modern day slavery offences.

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%image('17760327', type="article-full", alt="Thousands of pounds of cash was found in a property in Whitefield")

A 37-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of money laundering and possession with intent to supply.

A third man, a 52-year-old, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to produce cannabis and modern day slavery offences.

They have since been bailed pending further enquiries.

%image('17760330', type="article-full", alt="Several bottles of vintage Champagne were found")

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) estimate the warrants on various properties carried out this week have uncovered more than £350,000 worth of criminal assets being seized.

Superintendent Phil Hutchinson from GMP Oldham district said: “I understand that people may see cannabis farms as a victimless crime, but this trade is built upon exploitation of vulnerable people and attracts further criminality and violence to our communities through gang violence and addiction.

“People can make monumental profits from exploitative human labour and organised crime, and we will take great satisfaction seizing their assets and reinvesting it back into our communities who deserve it through the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme.”

"I would like to thank the public for their continued support in assisting our work by reporting and sharing information and anyone with information or concerns is asked to contact us so we can act.”

GMP can be contacted via LiveChat on its website, www.gmp.police.uk, or by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

If you have a story, I cover all things Oldham from food reviews and local business news to music and events, pubs, education, crime, property, health, community concerns and much more. Please email me at Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk or send me a message on Twitter @Livbridge with your news.