10 people have been arrested for a number of drug and modern slavery offences following dawn raids this morning across Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
They all remain in police custody for questioning.
Five men have been arrested on suspicion of modern slavery offences and conspiracy to supply class B and C drugs
Three men and a 14-year-old boy have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class B and C drugs
One man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of class C drugs.
A search of the properties resulted in large amounts of class B and class C drugs and approximately £60,000 being seized by Operation Vulcan – supported by Manchester North Neighbourhood Officers and GMP Serious Organised Crime Group – as part of their investigation into the suspected drug distribution and exploitation of minors.
These arrests are the latest in Operation Vulcan, a proactive multi agency approach to tackling to serious organised crime in the Cheetham Hill and Strangeways areas of Manchester.
Detective Inspector Chris Julien, one of Operation Vulcan’s specialist officers said: “I hope today’s arrests and seizures go to show that Operation Vulcan is about much more than seizing counterfeit clothing.
“The sale of drugs and the exploitation of young, vulnerable people is a product of the criminality that has been embedded in the area for decades, and we are absolutely committed to tackling these issues, identifying those who are responsible, and bringing them to justice.
“At its heart, Operation Vulcan is a partnership effort, and whilst enforcement is an important element; real, sustainable change would not be possible without the help of the local community and our dedicated partner agencies. The multi-agency approach Operation Vulcan has adopted allows for maximum intelligence and evidence sharing to make sure every victim is identified early on and safeguarded.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to appeal to members of the public for information. If you’ve noticed any suspicious activity in your area, or you suspect an individual may be being taken advantage of by criminal gangs, please report it. We will act on this information.”
