Drug dealers hit by £2 million Scorpion sting

Operation Scorpion led to 69 arrests and the seizure of £1.74 million worth of drugs.

Greater Manchester Police seized drugs with an estimated street value of more than £1.74 million in raids on 64 properties across the region last week, leading to 69 arrests.

Officers also seized £209,600 in cash from suspected dealers under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) because they believe the money may have been made from, or could be used to fund, criminal activity.

In raids in north Manchester officers recovered almost 18 kilos of crack cocaine with a street value of £1.7 million together with half a kilo of heroin and four kilos of amphetamines. This is thought to be the largest single seizure of crack cocaine in the UK this year.

Nineteen cannabis farms were closed down across the Force area over the week of action with the recovery of four kilos of cannabis bush. Officers also recovered two live and two imitation firearms.

The operations were organised through the Force’s Scorpion priority group that aims to further explore the impact of drugs, bring dealers to justice, increase public confidence in the police and make communities feel safer.

The week of action also featured awareness sessions by police officers, drugs workers and ex-users in schools and information stalls in town centres warning of the dangers that drugs pose and where people affected by drug use can get help and support.

Officers also used drug detection dogs and special cocaine detection torches to target users in pubs and clubs. Roadside checks using Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology were used to disrupt criminal activity in drug crime hotspot areas.

A half-day seminar for residential landlords and letting agents was held at the City of Manchester Stadium during the week of action to encourage them to take precautions to stop their properties being used as cannabis farms and drug factories.

Chief Superintendent Steven Hartley who leads the Scorpion priority group said: “This week of action shows the breadth of Greater Manchester Police’s approach to dealing with the scourge of drug crime.

“Over the week as well as high profile enforcement operations that took drug dealers off our streets, destroyed their poisonous wares and confiscated their cash we also worked to make vulnerable groups aware that drugs destroy communities, break up families, drive users to crime and ultimately can lead to an early and painful death.

“Much of the success of this week is down to the information that residents provided on drug issues in their communities and I would urge people to continue to do this either to us directly or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

“The week of action reiterates our commitment to cleanse our communities of drug crime and make them safe for people to go about their law-abiding business.”