Police arrested 19 people in a series of dawn raids across Greater Manchester and Lancashire on Tuesday morning, following a months-long investigation into a drugs line operation.
The arrests came after an investigation into a 'drugs line' operation that has been running since October 2020. Greater Manchester Police believe at least 4.2kg of Class A drugs were distributed through the line.
Coordinated warrants across the region
Officers from GMP's Organised Crime Group (SOCG), supported by the Tactical Aid Unit, executed 21 simultaneous warrants at 6am. Of the arrests, 16 were in Bolton, two in Wigan, two in Lancashire, one in Salford and another in Manchester.
At one address on Egerton Street in Farnworth, officers located a significant amount of Class A drugs, along with weighing scales, a cannabis grinder and plastic bags. At another address, 30 wraps of Class A drugs were recovered from a vehicle suspected to be linked to one of the drug line couriers.
Suspects in custody
Fourteen men and five women have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs. They all remain in custody for questioning.
Detective Inspector Richard McCorry, from SOCG, said: "This morning's coordinated activity marks another significant step in our ongoing efforts to disrupt organised crime groups involved in the supply of Class A and B drugs across Greater Manchester.
"We believe this drugs line has been operating for a number of years and has been responsible for distributing substantial quantities of Class A drugs into our communities. The arrests and warrants carried out today have targeted individuals we suspect are playing key roles in that conspiracy.
"Drugs in any community fuels violence and exploitation and often sit at the heart of wider organised criminal activity. We are committed to identifying, disrupting and dismantling those responsible.
"Our investigation remains ongoing, but we will continue to work tirelessly to protect vulnerable people and ensure anyone who is involved in this sort of criminality is arrested."
