A DRUGS raid in Bolton netted £110,000 - which can now be used to tackle crime and strengthen community work across the city region.

The stash was part of more than £1m which has been declared as 'proceeds of crime' by magistrates.

Half of the cash is returned by the Home Office from such seizures, which can then be reinvested in neighbourhood projects.

The Bolton haul came after a raid as part of Operation Challenger in July 2020.

Another operation in Blackley, which later saw a 30-year-old man jailed, saw £365,000 dumped in a bag for life, as police moved in. The crook threw the loot out of a bathroom window but it was later recovered, alongside cocaine and heroin.

Det Sgtt Sarah Langley, of GMP's asset detention and recovery unit, said: "Our team spend countless hours, using all available powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act to ensure these ill-gotten gains are removed from the pockets of criminals and put to good use for those who need it most.

"Stripping criminals of their cash and assets, including money that fuels organised crime, sends a clear message and stark warning that crime doesn't pay."

The latest confiscation hearing took place at Tameside Magistrates Court and involve cash seizures made over the past two years.

Det Chief Insp Joseph Harrop, of GMP's economic and cyber crime section, added: "This month's result is yet again another fantastic result for GMP and truly highlights the incredible work put in by the economic and cyber crime section.

"We have asset recovery specialists working in our asset detention and recovery unit, confiscation unit and the new account freezing order team.

"The three teams working together has seen them successfully recover assets worth over £8.2m pounds so far this financial year, and this clearly demonstrates the impact the team can have against organised crime across Greater Manchester.

"Organised crime has no place across Greater Manchester the assets and funds forfeited this month week were earned through illicit means, sparing no thought for the incredibly damaging impact this type of offending can have on our communities.

"hankfully, these seizures will now be able to fund positive and impactful projects across our communities and hopefully make a difference to those who need it most."