Thirteen arrested in dawn drug raids

The Tactical Aid Unit using the enforcer to break down the door

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Thirteen people have been arrested on suspicion of drug related offences and money laundering in dawn raids across Middleton and Heywood. 

The arrests are part of an ongoing operation to crackdown on drug dealing in the area. Items seized during the day included a car, motorbike and a quantity of cannabis.

Eighty police officers from the Rochdale Division and across the Greater Manchester Police Force swooped on addresses in Hollin, Langley and Darnhill this morning (Wednesday 8 December 2010).

Rochdale Online reporter Laura Wild joined the police on the raids. Read what happened here…

At 6.00am this morning myself, and four Councillors, were picked up in a police minibus from Rochdale Police Station. We were taken to a GMP Centre at Sedgley Park in Prestwich.

The eighty officers were briefed for the morning’s operation.

The message was: be quick, get to the addresses, get the suspects and get them locked up.

We left Prestwich and headed to an address in the Hollin area of Middleton.

Several addresses in this area were being raided. 

Our minibus followed a Tactical Aid Unit to an address where officers used an 'enforcer' to break the door down.

The scene was tense, the door was difficult to break down, the officers continued to bash against the door and alternate between enforcers. Other officers shouted where to use the ‘ram.’  

One occupant was shouting from the window of the property.

Neighbours began to appear.

After what felt like an age of screaming and breaking the door down the police were in. 

The occupants were quickly located and then a search of the property began. 

Another team of officers approached a flat. This time there was no need to break down the door as the occupants were already out looking across the street.

Labour Leader Councillor Colin Lambert, Heywood Councillor Jacqui Beswick, Hopwood Ward Councillor Linda Robinson and Middleton Councillor Terry Linden, accompanied by Chief Inspector Nadeem Mir, headed to the other target addresses.

However, the raids had already taken place – just as they had been tasked, the officers had been quick. 

Officers conducting the searches requested a drugs dog and a fire arms team. 

Nine men and four women were arrested on suspicion of drug related offences and money laundering and remain in custody for questioning.

“A large number of people have been arrested and that will make an impact,” said Chief Inspector Nadeem Mir.

Chief Inspector Mir added: “Drug dealing is not going to be tolerated. It harms communities in more ways than one. It can bring that area down. We will collate evidence and we will continue to arrest and put these people before the courts.”

Reflecting on the operation, Chief Inspector Mir said: “It has been a success for us. It was a well co-ordinated operation by police officers from across Greater Manchester who don’t necessarily know the area. The targets were secured and arrests were made with a minimum disruption to the community.”

Councillor Colin Lambert said: “The Councillors would like to thank GMP for the work they have been doing behind the scenes and undercover since April and the impact that had this morning.

“It will not only make our communities feel safer but it has removed key drug players from the areas.

“GMP has delivered.”