Police raid one of the houses

Police revealed at lunchtime that 21 people have been arrested following the dawn raids that smashed a Bolton drugs ring this morning.

Following a series of early morning raids across Bolton, 16 men and two women were originally arrested on suspicion of supplying or being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

The raids took place in Great Lever, Brownlow Fold, Deane, Gilnow and one address in Bury.

Police have seized an amount of cash, two vehicles, a firearm and a quantity of drugs.

Those arrested have been taken to police stations throughout Greater Manchester where they are currently being questioned.

Further house searches will be carried out throughout the day.

This is the latest day of action in Bolton and is part of the "Street Level Up" approach, which is a national initiative.

The "Street Level Up" tactic looks to identify and remove whole supply chains of Class A controlled drugs, starting with problematic drug users who are offered and supported through treatment, working up the chain through street level dealers, all the way to those involved and responsible for importation and trafficking.

This morning was the third day of action as part of Operation Hercules and is the result of months of undercover work by officers acting on information given to them by local people. Police are keen to thank members of the local community for taking a stand against the criminals.

Officers briefed before the raids

Previous Operation Hercules raids in December, 2006, resulted in 24 people being charged with drugs offences. They were sentenced to a total of 85 years. Eight people were charged as part of a smaller operation in December, 2007, and are currently going through the court process.

Operation Hercules was developed following the success of Operation Blade in September, 2005, when 23 people were sentenced to a total of 80 years in prison for drugs offences.

Neighbourhood officers will now be working hard to reassure anyone in the community who is concerned about the effect drugs are having in the area. There will be a high visibility presence of officers, who will be issuing leaflets to houses. A large trailer will also be in the area to let residents know about today's action.

Superintendent of Operations for GMP's Bolton division, Andy Durkin, said: "Safer Neighbourhoods has been at the heart of today's operation. It puts the emphasis on consulting people and communities about their concerns, and then working with them and other partners to resolve them at a local level.

"This operation aims to show the public in Bolton that this type of criminality will not be tolerated.

"The warrants executed this morning will not be the last of this type of activity as we continue to target those individuals who think that they are above the law.

"If we are to do this we need the community to come to us and provide us with information so we can take action against this small number of people who blight the area.

"The majority of local residents and many of the family members of those arrested have no involvement in this illegal activity and are law-abiding members of the community.

"In recent months, Bolton has seen a reduction in crime and today's operation will continue to drive down criminal behaviour in the area."

Officers from the Bolton division were supported by Greater Manchester Police's Tactical Aid Unit, Dog Section, Financial Investigation Unit and officers from surrounding divisions.

Superintendent Durkin continued: "The huge number of resources used during this morning's operation serves to highlight how seriously GMP takes the issue of drugs and how determined we are to put an end to this type of criminal activity which has such a devastating affect on local people.

"The repercussions of drug-use are huge, ranging from people feeling threatened walking along their own streets and children having to play near discarded needles to an increase in burglary and robbery by addicts funding their habit. There is no place for drugs on the streets of Bolton and today's action has taken us one step closer to this.

"I cannot emphasis enough how vital the information provided by the community is to police in the fight against crime. Local residents have been incredible so far and we really need this cooperation to continue."

Local councillors and key members of the community have been fully briefed this morning so that they understand exactly what has happened and why. Police officers and Police Community Support Officers are currently in those areas affected by this morning's raids to reassure local people.

Anybody with any information about drug dealing in their area should contact GMP on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

12:35pm Wednesday 16th April 2008

Print   Email this