Police arrest pair suspected of dealing nitazenes after super strength drug was found in Hyde raid

Two people were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs, during Greater Manchester Police's first warrant linked with the supply of newly recognised Class A drug, nitazenes.

The raid followed the discovery of the new drug at an address in Hyde two months ago.

With the help of officers from West Midlands Police, officers busted into an industrial unit on Tay Road, Birmingham, locating and seizing approximately ten kilos of suspected drugs.

Subsequently, a 34-year-old man was arrested on Fox Hill, and a 31-year-old woman on Rough Road, both in Birmingham.

They remain in custody for questioning.

Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop, force lead for drugs, said, “This activity is the first of its kind for GMP, as nitazenes were only last month classified amongst the likes of heroin and cocaine.

“The overt activity that’s taken place today out of our force area is linked with an ongoing investigation into drugs found at a property in Tameside in March.

"The forensic results of these drugs found that they contained nitazenes. It is, however, also part of our overarching response to preventing the spread of nitazenes in Greater Manchester. 

“I want to reassure people that tackling drug supply continues to be incredibly important for us, and doesn’t stop at the Greater Manchester borders. We continue to work closely with partners to respond to new and emerging drug threats.

"We are committed to taking illegal drugs off the streets and preventing further people coming to harm at the hands of them."

Nitazenes have been connected to the deaths of hundreds of users throughout the world.

Earlier this year, the Reporter revealed the super strength drug threatened to cause havoc in the UK.

The drugs produced in illicit labs in Eastern Europe and the Far East are set to spread throughout Greater Manchester, a doctor has warned.

More than 100 deaths in the UK have been linked to synthetic opioids called nitazines since last summer, according to the National Crime Agency (NCA).

However, Dr Mark Pucci believes the numbers are a significant underestimate.

The drugs are up to 20 times stronger than heroin and fentanyl, which has claimed thousands of lives in the United States.

The NCA believes the drugs are produced in illegal labs in China and are entering the UK through the Royal Mail and other parcel operators.

Figures reveal five users suffered overdoses in Greater Manchester over the last six months. And in March, the government acted to combat the scourge of such drugs by introducing legislation to make 14 nitazenes Class A drugs under the Misuse of Drugs Act.