Following action taken under Oldham’s Operation AVRO yesterday (31 March 2022), two men have been charged in relation to Operation Baroque, an investigation into the criminal use of the encrypted communications platform Encrochat, often used by organised criminal groups.
John Paul Rains, 35, of Huddersfield Road, Oldham, has been charged with:
- Conspiracy to possess a firearm without a certificate
- Conspiracy to import Class A drugs namely heroin with intent to evade prohibition/restriction.
- Conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug, namely heroin.
- Conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug, namely cocaine.
- Conspiracy to supply Class B controlled drugs, namely ketamine and cannabis
- Conspiracy to produce a controlled drug of Class B namely ketamine.
Daniel Joseph David Rains, 38, of Manesty Close, Middleton, 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.
- Conspiracy to produce a controlled drug of Class B namely ketamine.
They have been remanded in custody and will appear before Tameside Magistrates court on Friday 01st April 2022.
At around 05:15am on Thursday 31st March 2022, officers from GMP’s Oldham Challenger Team executed drug warrants at properties in Oldham and Middleton.
During the warrants, significant amounts of Class A drugs, Class B drugs, cash, mobile phones and high-value items/designer clothing were seized. A stolen vehicle was also recovered.
