Man Sadly Died in Longsden Canal, Stop and Search Arrest in Etruria, Cannabis find in Longton

Staffordshire Police have arrested two men following a stop-and-search in Etruria on Wednesday afternoon.

Officers stopped a grey Seat Ibiza at just after 3.15 on Festival Heights Retail Park. They found cannabis, cash and a mobile phone inside the vehicle, and a bag containing digital scales was recovered nearby. A further search by officers uncovered a large quantity of cannabis and white powder.

Two 19-year-old men, both from Stoke-on-Trent, were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class B drug.   One of them was also charged with and driving a vehicle whilst under the influence of a controlled drug.

Both men have been released on bail while enquiries continue.

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The family of a man who was sadly found dead in a canal in North Staffordshire have paid tribute to him.

Secondary school teacher, Gary Bartram, aged 49, was tragically found in a canal near to Deep Hayes Country Park on Sutherland Road, Longsdon, just before 9am on Sunday.

Officers went to the scene with colleagues from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service and paramedics from West Midlands Ambulance Service.

His family are continuing to be supported by specially-trained officers at this time and in a tribute to Gary, they said: “Words cannot express the devastation at the sudden passing of a beloved husband. He has left behind a loving family, a huge group of lifelong friends, and a community of students that he had made his life’s work to teach and support in any way he could.

A 49-year-old man, from Dundee, was arrested the same day on suspicion of murder. He was later released on conditional police bail while enquiries continue.

If you have any information that could help Police and you haven’t got in touch already, please call 101, quoting incident 215 of 10 December,

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Two men have been arrested following reports of suspicious activity, after Police found more than 140 cannabis plants at a takeaway in Stoke-on-Trent.  On arrival at the premises in Market Street, Longton, at 7.45. last Friday morning Officers found 148 cannabis plants which have since been seized.

Two men from Stoke on Trent aged 33 and 41 were arrested on suspicion of cultivating cannabis plants and have since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Anyone with any information should contact Staffordshire Police on 101, quoting incident 138 of 8 December