Police have seized two tonnes of cannabis worth £24 million from a remote farm in one of Britain's largest ever drugs raids.
The "record-breaking" stash was confiscated by Greater Manchester Police after a warrant was executed at Leigh Tenement Farm near Bolton on Friday.
Two men, aged 27 and 35, were arrested at the scene on suspicion of drug offences and remain in custody for questioning.
Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop from GMP's Serious Crime Division said: "Our officers uncovered a large-scale and sophisticated illegal operation at the location, housing a significant volume of illegal drugs.
"This seizure marks a major success for our officers - it removes a major source of harm, disrupts criminal networks and helps make neighbourhoods safer.
"Our work demonstrates the ongoing commitment to targeting large-scale drug production and distribution and is key in safeguarding vulnerable people.
"It sends a clear message that this kind of criminal activity will not be tolerated and our officers will work hard to ensure those responsible are brought to justice."
Police believe the large seizure is evidence that organised drug gangs are using remote countryside locations to produce Class B drugs such as cannabis on an industrial scale.
It follows a surge in the amount of cannabis imported to the UK from abroad, with much of it coming from Thailand, which decriminalised cannabis in 2022.
Over 15 tonnes of cannabis was detected by Border Force, with the support of Royal Mail, in the last quarter of 2024.
In November 2024, 11 people were charged in connection with attempting to smuggle more than half a tonne of cannabis worth around £13.8 million into the UK, according to the National Crime Agency.
The charges were brought following a NCA investigation into the seizure of 510 kilos of cannabis at Birmingham Airport in August 2024.
Aged between 21 and 35, they were arrested at Birmingham Airport after Border Force found the drugs packed into 22 separate suitcases, the NCA said.
They had all travelled to the UK from Thailand via Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
