Two arrests have been made after a knife, two vehicles and 100 wraps of class A drugs were seized in a dawn raid. Detectives believe they have dented an organised crime group, operating across Greater Manchester, which has been exploiting vulnerable people.
A 20 year-old man and 21 year old woman were detained at a property on Tower Street, Heywood, following the raid at 6am today (March 14). Greater Manchester Police says its officers from the Rochdale Challenger organised crime team uncovered crack cocaine and heroin worth an approximate £1,000.
It's believed the drugs were to be sold by an organised crime group operating under a 'county lines' model - with the drugs advertised for sale via a mobile phone, before being moved by dealers onto other streets, or even other places across the country. GMP also believes the organised criminals rumbled had been exploiting people through the practise known as 'cuckooing'.
Detective Inspector Stuart Round said: “This morning’s arrest is believed to be linked to an organised crime group we suspect is part of a county lines criminal network that has been supplying class A drugs across Greater Manchester. We also suspect the criminal network to have been cuckooing people who are vulnerable by forcing their way into the homes to use it as a place to store and deal drugs.
“We’re continuing to be relentless in our pursuit of serious and organised crime and I want to take this opportunity to encourage the public to continue reporting drug activity so we can keep taking action.” GMP is encouraging members of the public to spot the signs of vulnerable adults becoming victims of criminal exploitation.
GMP says this could be an increase in visitors or cars to a house or flat which pull up to or near the house for a short period of time, people coming and going at odd times of the day and night, and 'strange smells' coming from the property, which could indicate the presence of illegal drugs.
Anyone who has information related to drug activity including county lines or vulnerable person is being exploited is urged to contact GMP online via LiveChat, if able, or by calling police on 101. Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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