Police have charged 19 people on suspicion of drug offences following an investigation at Piccadilly Gardens. Officers made a string of arrests on Tuesday morning (May 14) as part of Operation Vulcan, which is currently focused on the Piccadilly area of the city centre.

In an update issued today (Thursday), Greater Manchester Police confirmed that 19 people have now been charged and remanded in custody. They are due to appear at Manchester Magistrates Court later today.

Three men who were arrested on Tuesday were later bailed pending further enquiries, GMP confirmed. Detective Sergeant Matt Donnelly, from Operation Vulcan, said: “We are determined to work with our partners across the city centre to tackle drug related crime, disrupt the criminal networks behind it, and ensure the vulnerable people effected receive the very best care and support from specialist support services."

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GMP says charges have been made on 36 offences in total. These include conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and possession with intent to supply.

The suspects named are from across Manchester, Salford and Leigh. The following 19 suspects have been charged:

  • Ashley James Connors, 20, of Dean Street, Manchester, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine
  • Darren Lee Scholes, 44, of Whitworth Street, Manchester, has been charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine
  • Sait Jobe, 23, of Hemmons Road, Manchester, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine
  • Diane Stone, 46, of Fairlawn Close, Manchester, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine
  • Ibrahem Ibrahem, 22, of Fairbourne Road, Manchester, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine
  • Sanni Younouss, 22, of Platt Lane, Manchester, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and heroine and possession with intent to supply class B drugs
  • Mohammed Omar, 23, of Greengate, Salford, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine
  • Abdoulie Conteh, 27, of Hall Street, Swinton, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine and possession of an offensive weapon
  • Dean Graham, 42, of Hartwell Close, Manchester, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine
  • Dougie Joyce, 23, of Reabrook Avenue, Manchester, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine
  • Martin Joyce, 24, of Kenchester Avenue, Manchester, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine
  • Ahmed Benny-Bah, 29, of Heddies Court, Leigh, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, possession of class A drugs and B drugs
  • Thomas Hulme, 18, of no fixed abode, has been charged with conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine
  • Julius Cole, 20, of Marlington Drive, Manchester, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine
  • Kendal Smith, 25, of Brookcroft Road, Wythenshawe, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine and possession with intent to supply class B drugs
  • Ryan Chadwick, 28, of Brookcroft Road, Wythenshawe, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine and possession with intent to supply class B drugs
  • Justin Shaw, 22, of Richmond Grove East, Manchester, has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs, and

  • A 16-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine

  • A 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs.