Officer found in drug den

Officers raiding a suspected drugs den in Oldham found cocaine and cash inside — and an off-duty policewoman from Middleton.

Award-winning PC Leanne Murphy was one of four people arrested at the house and is now on restricted duties.

The 26-year-old, who works on the volume crime team in Rochdale, was held after police investigating a suspected drug dealer put the house under surveillance. She was questioned on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.

PC Murphy denies the offence and has been bailed until January 5 pending further inquiries.

She received an award for excellence in 2001 when she was still a police cadet. In 2008 she was praised after stopping two fleeing youths, who were suspected of breaking into a mill, by grabbing a passing Red Setter dog and pretending it was a trained police dog. She threatened to release it on the two youths before they stopped and were arrested.

A police spokeswoman said: “Greater Manchester Police can confirm a serving officer was arrested on Friday 12 November on suspicion of possession of drugs with intent to supply. It followed a warrant at a house in Oldham.”

A woman and two men were also arrested at the house on suspicion of the same offence and have been bailed to the same date.