Middleton man charged with drug offences

Photo: Google, Digital Globe

Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court

A Middleton man has been charged in relation to an investigation – ‘Operation Baroque’ – into the criminal use of the encrypted platform Encrochat.

Daniel Joseph David Rains, 38, of Middleton, and John Paul Rains, 35, of Oldham, have both been charged in connection with the operation, after being arrested under Operation Avro on 31 March.

Daniel Rains has been charged with conspiracy to import Class A drugs namely heroin with intent to evade prohibition/restriction, conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug, namely heroin and conspiracy to produce a controlled drug of Class B, namely ketamine.

Both men have been remanded in custody until their next appearance at Minshull Street Crown Court on 6 May.

The most recent day of action in Oldham last week as part of Operation Avro saw three people sentenced and nine charged from Chadderton, Oldham, Shaw, Royton and Glastonbury.

The day, involving resources from all 10 GMP districts, was the sixth carried out by the force taking the total number of arrests to almost 150 since October 2021 when the operation first launched.

Three men have already been sentenced and brought to justice in court for offences that include failing to appear and breach of a non-molestation order.

The other people charged following police action last week have been charged with a variety of offences including assault, obstructing a police officer, common assault, burglary, failing to stop for police, disqualified driving, abstracting electricity, failing to appear for an offence of assault, failing to provide a specimen for analysis, drink driving, and driving without insurance or a valid MOT.