Man charged with drugs and gun offences after raid and Deansgate Square flats evacuation

A man has been charged with drugs and firearm offences following a raid on a city centre flat. Deansgate Square apartments on Owen Street was evacuated on Saturday following the execution of a warrant.

Mike Kabeya, 24, of Owen Street, is charged with two offences of possession of a handgun, possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession with intent to supply cannabis and possession of criminal property.

The warrant which led to his arrest was carried out as part of an investigation into the supply of drugs by GMP's Operation Orion team, a spokesperson said.

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Mr Kabeya will appear at Manchester Magistrates' Court tomorrow.

Residents of Deansgate Towers were evacuated from their apartments yesterday for a number of hours as armed police and the bomb disposal unit assessed the scene. A safety caution of 100 metres was put in place as they carried out their enquiries before the cordon was lifted.

During a search of the flat, officers found a 'possible explosive device', which was later found to be a 'large firework'.

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