Five arrests made in organised crime crackdown which also sees police seize one kilo of cocaine and £35,000

Photo: Greater Manchester Police

Police seized a kilo of cocaine

Five people have been arrested on a range of drug-related offences after dawn warrants by police in Rochdale, Oldham and Manchester this morning (Tuesday 22 March).

Officers from GMP's Economic Crime Unit, supported by the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, Specialist Operations, North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and the National Crime Agency executed eight warrants at 6.30am.

The warrants resulted in four men and one woman being arrested on suspicion of a range of offences including conspiracy to supply class A drugs, money launder and conspiracy to supply firearms.

They all remain in custody for questioning.

One kilogram of cocaine was seized along with £35,000 in cash.

The warrants formed part of Operation Pula, focused on the activity of a Manchester-based organised crime group involved in the importation and supply of multiple kilos of class A drugs.

An investigation remains ongoing.

Detective Inspector James Coles of GMP's Economic Crime and Cyber Crime Section said: "This morning's action is a great result in our efforts to clamp down and tackle organised crime across Greater Manchester and highlights the effectiveness of collaboration and sharing intelligence, with internal and external teams and agencies.

"We now have five people in custody for questioning and have been able to remove a significant amount of cocaine and cash from our streets, and away from the hands of organised criminals.

"Our investigation very much remains ongoing and we will continue in our pledge to tackle this type of offending. "These investigations do, in part, rely on intelligence we receive from the public so I would encourage anyone who may have any information into criminality in your area to get in touch with police."

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or dial 999 if it is an emergency. Alternatively, details can be passed via LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk or via the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.