Nine men have been charged with a combined 49 offences following a major day of action in Heywood, during which Greater Manchester Police (GMP) executed 20 warrants with more than 200 officers on Wednesday, October 7.
GMP confirmed that 17 people were arrested in Heywood. The force said it targeted properties linked to a suspected organised crime group. Tactical Aid Unit officers smashed through doors and windows in raids organised at dawn, before arresting people believed to hold senior criminal positions.
Twenty arrests were made in total, GMP said. Of those arrested, five individuals were charged and remanded to appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on Thursday, October 8.
Police statement on the operation
Detective Sergeant Hannah Taala, from GMP's Rochdale district, said: "This day has been months in the planning and I am delighted with the results that have already come in. We have arrested multiple people suspected of being involved in a range of offences, including drug-dealing, robberies, burglaries, and assaults.
"This cycle of violence stops here. We have been able to strike a significant blow against a group that has been causing misery across the Rochdale district. People have asked us to tackle the issue and that's exactly what we've done. The work doesn't stop now, with searches still ongoing, further intelligence gathered, and evidence being compiled to secure charges."
She continued: "We will continue to tackle any issues that arise in Rochdale and put in bespoke plans to address them wherever we can. Make no mistake, today was a huge day and one that has required extensive planning – but we will not hesitate to have further mornings like this if anyone else decides to ruin others' lives with their actions."
Charges and remand
Duke Scott (01/05/2003), of Manchester Road, Heywood, has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, aggravated burglary, two counts of possession of an offensive weapon in a private place, four counts of handling stolen goods, a public order offence, two counts of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, possession of a Class B drug, and being concerned in the supply of heroin, cocaine, cannabis, ketamine, and MDMA.
Miles Scott (30/04/2005), of Manchester Road, Heywood, has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, two counts of burglary, two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, two counts of handling stolen goods, possession with intent to supply heroin, possession with intent to supply cocaine, two counts of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, and being concerned in the supply of heroin, cocaine, and cannabis.
Khalifa Adeoye (08/08/2003), of Hero Street, Bootle, Merseyside, has been charged with two counts of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine.
Owen Hartley (01/12/2003), of Ribble Street, Rochdale, has been charged with being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession with intent to supply cannabis, and acquiring, using, or possessing criminal property.
Aaron Gurney (07/06/2004), of Rathmell Street, Bradford, has been charged with conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and possession with intent to supply Class B drugs.
Further charges and bail
The following four people were charged and bailed to appear at court at a later date: Mitchell Walker (17/04/2003), of Sunhill Close, Rochdale, charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place; Oliver Pilkington (01/06/2007), of Huddersfield Road, Brighouse, charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine; Jack Pilkington (30/07/2004), of Roch Valley Way, Rochdale, charged with possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and possession of a Class B drug; and Jayden Faulds (07/09/2004), of Printon Avenue, Manchester, charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.
