Thousands of pounds in cash hidden in a Wigan shop were discovered thanks to a police dog
Police were joined by a specialist cash, drugs and firearms detection dog as they searched a Wigan shop.
Around £35,000 in cash was found hidden under the floor of a shop in Wigan town centre when it was raided by police.
Officers from Wigan neighbourhood policing team executed a warrant at a retail premises on Standishgate on Tuesday after receiving intelligence.
They were joined by Wigan’s district intelligence unit and Greater Manchester Police’s tactical dog unit.
Police dog Bruce - a specialist cash, drugs and firearms detection dog - and his handler PC James Lightfoot joined officers as they searched the shop.
PD Bruce indicated to officers to check an area near the till, which led to the discovery of cash concealed underneath.
His continued indications suggested more money could be hidden in the property, so PC Louise Kelly carried out a more thorough search and found a concealed void beneath the floor containing approximately £35,000 in bundled cash.
Due to intelligence and evidence gathered during the warrant, police then searched properties in Bolton and Preston.
There they seized a further £11,000 in cash, along with a large collection of Pokémon cards believed to be worth several thousand pounds.
Two men, aged 51 and 39, were arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class B drugs, possession of criminal property and supplying or offering to supply articles for use in the preparation or administration of controlled drugs.
They have been bailed pending further investigation.
Sgt Jonathan Calder, from Wigan town centre neighbourhood policing team, said: “This operation forms part of our ongoing commitment to the Safer Business Action Week initiative. Businesses involved in criminality have a detrimental impact on community safety and damage the reputation of Wigan town centre.
“We will always act upon information provided by the public and our partners to tackle those who seek to profit from criminal activity.
“Our priority is to protect vulnerable members of our community, disrupt organised criminality, and seize assets and cash believed to have been obtained through unlawful means.
“There is no place for this type of criminality in Wigan or Greater Manchester, and we will continue to work with our partners to ensure those involved are brought to justice."