They smashed their way in, expecting to find a cannabis farm - and discovered something else entirely

Police officers who believed they were raiding a cannabis farm got more than they bargained for when they forced their way in. GMP said they had received 'intelligence' that the class B drug was being cultivated at a property in Cawdor Road, Fallowfield.

No cannabis farm was discovered inside, but they did discover a firearm, ammunition and class A drugs. Following the raid, at 7.45am yesterday, (June 23), two men, aged 30 and 32, were arrested on suspicion of possession of class A drugs and possession of a firearm and taken to custody for questioning.

The force said the firearm was later found to be an imitation.

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Victoria Holdsworth, Neighbourhood Inspector for Withington, Burnage, Fallowfield and Levenshulme, said: "This job came off the back of intelligence we received, my officers made sure they acted quickly to carry out the warrant and apprehend the occupants that were in the address at the time of the strike. Albeit it we did not discover a cannabis farm as we were expecting, our search of the property saw officers discover a firearm, ammunition, and Class A drugs which we have now successfully taken off the streets.

"After further examination by specialist officers, it has been revealed that the firearm that we recovered is in fact an imitation. Some of our neighbourhood priorities include drug dealing and disrupting organised crime, and with our find yesterday morning, we believe that has gone some way to achieving some of our main objectives in the area."