Rochdale, Greater Manchester — A Rochdale man who obtained materials to convert blank-firing firearms into viable weapons as part of a gang dispute has pleaded guilty to firearms offences, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have announced. The guilty pleas follow, "Operation Barclose", a targeted investigation launched in Rochdale after intelligence suggested a local man had travelled to Bradford to purchase a blank-firing gun. According to GMP, the investigation revealed that the primary suspect intended to modify the weapon. Detectives discovered he had obtained specific materials required to convert the blank firers into viable firearms. Police believe the activity was linked to a wider gang dispute and a specific shooting incident. The operation culminated in a series of police raids which resulted in the recovery of a viable firearm and ammunition. Several suspects were arrested at the time and have since pleaded guilty to a string of offences. They are currently r...