Greater Manchester Police (GMP) says it seized £70,000 in cash, a samurai sword, a viable semi-automatic firearm and ammunition, and Class A drugs when officers carried out eight warrants at addresses in Moss Side, Levenshulme, Moston and Harpurhey on 1 October.

Four men in their 20s and 30s were arrested on suspicion of firearms and drugs offences, the force said, as reported by BBC News and the Manchester Evening News (MEN). A further five men were later circulated as wanted and handed themselves in for questioning. All nine have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

The investigation began after an aggravated burglary was reported at an address in Whalley Range on 18 May. GMP said officers there recovered Class A drugs estimated to be worth about £20,000, along with a viable firearm and ammunition.

Detectives then identified eight people suspected of being part of an organised crime group involved in supplying Class A drugs across Manchester, GMP said. The warrants were led by the force's Challenger teams, supported by neighbourhood teams, Xcalibre, the Tactical Aid Unit and the dog unit.

Detective Constable Katie Havens, from GMP's City of Manchester South Challenger team, said the warrants and the earlier finds had “prevented dangerous weapons and illegal drugs from reaching our streets”.

GMP said it recovered 64 firearms from Greater Manchester's streets between April 2025 and April 2026, and that 16 firearms discharges were recorded in that period. Information can be given to police on 101 or via LiveChat at gmp.police.uk, or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Sources: BBC News, 16 October 2026; Manchester Evening News; Bury Times, including the GMP statement. This article was produced with the help of AI tools and checked by an editor against the sources above.