Ten arrested in early morning drug raids across the North West

At 6am this morning (27 July 2022), GMP broke down the doors of 13 properties across Middleton, Heywood and North Manchester, as well as Lancashire and West Yorkshire, as part of ‘Operation Heartwood’, targeting the supply of drugs across the North of England.

Ten men, aged between 34 and 54, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and were taken into custody where they remain this afternoon for questioning.

Detective Inspector Justin Bryant, of GMPs Serious and Organised Crime Group, said: “We’re really pleased with the result from this morning’s warrants executed by our Serious and Organised Crime Group, across three counties.

“Op Heartwood was launched in response to intelligence received about an organised crime group based in Middleton, who we discovered to be running a large scale drugs conspiracy from several addresses in the area.

"As a result of the investigation, three people have already been arrested and subsequently charged with drug supply offences and we will continue to work until every member of this crime group is brought to justice.

“As well as the arrests made, we also seized approximately £30,000 in cash, as well as high value jewellery and a cash counting machine.

“I hope these arrests will reassure the public that we are committed to making our local communities safer for everyone by disrupting this type of serious criminality. We understand the impact that drug dealing has on our communities and it won’t be tolerated.

“As always we very much welcome and rely on information from the public to help us to disrupt crime."

Anyone with information can contact 101, or use the Live Chat facility here.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.