Nine arrested in dawn drugs raids

14 March 2019, 12:41 | Updated: 14 March 2019, 12:51

Dawn raids saw nine people arrested as part of a crackdown on drug supply across Greater Manchester.

Today, Thursday 14 March 2019, police executed warrants at seven addresses across Manchester and Cheshire.

The warrants were executed as part of Operation Telegram – set up by Operation Challenger officers to target an organised crime group believed to be involved in the supply of drugs across the county, namely Stockport and Manchester areas.

Operation Telegram was launched in June 2018 and prior to today has recovered around £14,000 worth of Class A and Class B drugs.

Four women, aged 18, 27, 31 and 37, and five men, aged 19, 22, 30, 33 and 34, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.

They all remain in custody for questioning.

Among the items seized today were quantities of Class A and Class B drugs and mobile phones which will be analysed.

Detective Sergeant Melanie Johnson, of GMP’s Serious and Organised Crime group, said: “Today was a great example of our specialist teams working together with the local community and our partner agencies to crackdown on those infiltrating our streets with drugs.

“We now have nine people in custody who will be questioned by my team throughout the day and I would like to thank our colleagues at Cheshire Police who supported with the warrant executed in Northwich this morning.

“We remain determined to eliminate drug supply across Greater Manchester and would urge anyone who has any concerns or suspicions to report it to the police, so that we can stop those benefitting from the supply of drugs.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.