DRUGS with a staggering street value of £943,000 have been seized in Bolton over the last nine months, the BEN can reveal today.

Eighty six per cent of the haul was heroin - confirming Bolton's reputation as a major centre for distribution of the class A drug.

Research on drug abuse has revealed that the use of heroin - the drug linked to Crime more than any other - is the second worst of any region of the North-west.

In launching a Bolton Against Drugs (BAD) campaign two years ago the Evening News highlighted the fact that crime costing at least £6.8 million is being committed in Bolton each year by addicts desperate to finance a fix.

And throughout Greater Manchester as a whole police estimates put the crime bill at nearly £127 million.

Anxious Bolton police chiefs decided to double the strength of the town's drug squad last year in a bid to combat the spiralling epidemic. Since the squad - operating from Bolton Central and Astley Bridge Police stations - was enlarged police believe they have "disrupted the marketplace" in arresting dealers.

Statistics reveal that since last April a total of 356 arrests have been made in Bolton, 149 for trafficking and 157 for possession. Police officers have exercised 176 drug search warrants.

Drugs with a street value of £943,272 have been seized. The haul comprises heroin (£815,080); Cannabis (£114,192); Amphetamine (£13,375) and Ecstasy (£625).

In one police operation last May, Bolton drug squad officers seized heroin with a street value of £300,000 after the arrest of a man on the motorway. In another case they recovered heroin, worth £180,000, after the arrest of a courier who was selling drugs in Bolton town centre - accompanied by her two-year-old daughter.

The head of the Bolton Central Drugs Squad, Sgt Ian Paterson, said heroin abuse in Bolton is a massive problem. "We believe we are getting to grips with the situation but still have a long way to go," said Mr Paterson.

"The problem is the profits from dealing in drugs are so high. As soon as we take one dealer out there is quickly another one there to take his place."

He said the dealing in drugs in Bolton is well organised but believes it can be contained - with the help of the public.

"We cannot operate without the help of the public," said Mr Paterson. "I would urge anyone with any information whatsoever to contact us. Even tiny pieces of information can provide pieces of a bigger jigsaw that we are seeking."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Bolton Police dugs hotline, tel: Bolton 370757. All calls a treated in confidence. Rewards under GMP's Crimestoppers scheme are on offer for information leading to an arrest.

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