KEEN-nosed transport officers sniffed out a substantial drugs haul during an operation in Bury.

After noticing a strong smell of cannabis at Bury interchange stop on Friday, September 18, officers from the Travelsafe Unit (TSU) approached and searched a man before seizing cannabis from him with an estimated street value of £500.

A subsequent search of the man’s home led officers from the TSU and neighbourhood policing team in Bury to a large cannabis farm spread across four rooms and with an estimated street value of several thousand pounds.

Associated paraphernalia used for growing the drug was also seized.

The man was arrested and has been bailed until 27 November pending further enquiries.

Travelsafe officers had been conducting a check as part of a wider operation, aimed at tackling fare evasion and anti-social behaviour.

Peter Cushing, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Metrolink Director, said: “I am delighted with this result, which sends out a strong message that, if you use the Metrolink to carry or distribute drugs, then there is a good chance you will be caught and dealt with.

“Public transport is a safe way to travel and the purpose of the Travelsafe Unit is to help reinforce and maintain that.”

The Travelsafe Unit is made up of a team of police constables, police community support officers, special constables and security personnel. It was launched on April 1 as a three-year pilot scheme. 

Led by TfGM and Greater Manchester Police (GMP), the scheme allows contributing operators – Metrolink RATP Dev Ltd (MRDL), First Bus and Stagecoach – to share intelligence as well as crime and antisocial behaviour data.

The pilot scheme is also focusing on preventative measures and youth education. Uniformed officers visit schools across the region to educate youngsters on the dangers, impacts and consequences of crime, antisocial behaviour and fare evasion on public transport.

The scheme has been funded for three years but will be subject to formal annual reviews and regular scrutiny by a strategy group made up of members from organisations involved.