POLICE have arrested two suspected drug dealers after carrying out dawn raids in Bolton.

After months of undercover operations, dozens of officers, accompanied by sniffer dogs, executed warrants at 15 homes across Bolton, Bury and Middleton shortly after 6am yesterday and recovered Class A drugs and money.

Fourteen men were arrested and two of the addresses raided were in Ringley Road, Stoneclough, and Settle Street, Little Lever.

Chief Supt Caroline Ball said: “Drugs are a major factor in many other crimes such as burglary, robbery and vehicle crime and so cracking down on those involved is a big priority for us. These arrests are part of a continued fight against organised crime groups in the area and follow on from arrests and seizures made earlier this year relating to the sale and supply of drugs.

“Tackling organised crime in this way not only causes significant disruption to both users and suppliers of illegal drugs, it also means they will end up out of pocket as we can seize the assets through the Proceeds of Crime Act.”

All those arrested were being questioned last night.

Among those watching the raids was Greater Manchester’s new police and crime commissioner Tony Lloyd.

He said: “The police are keeping up the pressure on organised crime, to make it impossible for criminals to operate and bring misery on our communities. Inviting councillors and residents to witness this activity highlights how vital it is for the police, partners and the community to stand together to drive crime out of our neighbourhoods.”