Programme Challenger teams have arrested two men and seized large quantities of suspected drugs following coordinated warrants carried out across Greater Manchester.

Programme Challenger is Greater Manchester’s partnership response to serious and organised crime, bringing together specialist police teams and partners to tackle criminal networks involved in drug trafficking, firearms offences, money laundering and exploitation.

In the early hours of Thursday 1 May 2026, officers from the City of Manchester Challenger team, supported by the Stockport Challenger team and Salford Tasking Team, executed three warrants at addresses in Salford, Hulme and Reddish.

During searches of the properties, officers recovered a suspected half-kilogram block of cocaine, around 1kg of suspected ketamine and quantities of MDMA. Cash was also seized as part of the operation.

Following the warrants, a 36-year-old man and a 47-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cocaine, possession with intent to supply a Class A drug, acquiring, using or possessing criminal property, possession of a Class B drug, and being concerned in the supply of ecstasy.

Police say the operation forms part of an ongoing investigation into drug supply networks operating across Greater Manchester, with officers continuing to target organised criminal groups linked to the trade.

Detective Sergeant Paul Shacklady, from the City of Manchester Challenger Unit, said: “This policing activity has been carried out as part of an investigation into drug supply across Greater Manchester and has proved successful.

“We remain committed to the pursuit of offenders and bringing criminals to justice while protecting vulnerable people in our communities.”

Programme Challenger teams continue to work across Greater Manchester to disrupt organised crime groups, remove dangerous drugs from the streets and safeguard those most at risk of exploitation.