Police Smash Two High-Speed Diazepam Labs in Salford and Wigan
Greater Manchester Police have shut down two high-tech fake Diazepam factories pumping out thousands of pills every hour. Nine addresses across Salford and Wigan were raided in a major blitz targeting counterfeit prescription drugs.
GMP Cracks Down on Deadly Fake Drugs
The operation, led by GMP’s Serious and Organised Crime Group (SOCG), targeted sophisticated labs on Albion Street, Salford, and Lower Green Lane, Wigan. Officers believe these hubs were churning out counterfeit Diazepam tablets at an industrial scale. It’s part of Operation Cranium, a multi-agency crackdown focused on stopping fake prescription meds flooding the streets, especially around Cheetham Hill.
Four Men Arrested, Firearms and Rolex Watches Seized
Following the raids, four men aged 42 to 77 were snapped up on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class C drugs. A 42-year-old faces an additional firearm charge after police recovered three guns, ammunition, and around £20,000 cash. Luxury Rolex and Omega watches worth a whopping £30,000 were also seized from a property on Lower Green Lane, Astley.
Operation Follows Huge Benzodiazepine Bust on M61
This crackdown comes weeks after officers nabbed more than 2.6 million Benzodiazepine tablets on the M61 motorway near Rivington Services. Ehsan Ahamath, 32, from Kings Lynn, Norfolk, was charged with possession with intent to supply and is due in Bolton Crown Court in September.
Police Warn: Fake Drugs Could Kill
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Faulkner said, “Misuse of prescription drugs can be fatal. We’ve seen people seriously ill or dead from illegally sourced meds. Fake drugs don’t just ruin lives—they ruin communities.”
“We’ve smashed a sophisticated operation today and potentially saved lives. This crackdown isn’t stopping here.”
“Taking prescription drugs without a doctor’s advice is dangerous. Counterfeit pills can contain unknown substances and incorrect dosages. If you see suspicious activity relating to fake prescriptions, report it immediately at www.gmp.police.uk.”
Investigations continue as police dismantle the seized labs’ machinery. The message is clear: GMP are relentless in hunting down those peddling deadly counterfeit drugs.
