Police in Greater Manchester made 54 arrests, seized than £26,500 of cash whilr over £553,000 worth of drugs were taken off the streets, in a week of action resulting in 22 county drugs lines being closed.
Seized items also included 25 bladed articles, three firearms and 39 rounds of ammunition.
It was all part of Programme Challenger, a multi-agency approach to tackling organised crime in Greater Manchester, with police and partners dedicated to pursuing criminals and protecting victims.
Seized drugs included crack, heroin, cocaine and cannabis, THC vapes, cannabis edibles, ecstasy tablets, ketamine, steroids and amphetamine.
In one operation in Oldham in relation to a social media app Telegram drug channel supplying synthetic cannabinoids in the form of vape liquids locally to school age children in Oldham and further afield across the UK.
The synthetic cannabinoids are marketed as ‘THC liquids’ to appeal to cannabis users, with flavoured vape liquids being mixed to appeal to children. The effects can cause serious side effects akin to spice use and can be fatal.
Mohammed Aftab aged 19 of Hayfield Close, Moorside, was charged with supplying or offering to supply a controlled drug. He has been remanded into custody.
Young children and vulnerable adults are frequently manipulated into trafficking and distributing drugs in various areas. This grooming process is typically accompanied by violence and coercive tactics.
In collaboration with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), a total of 38 children were safeguarded, as well as 25 adults. Seven national referral mechanisms were submitted to support potential victims of modern slavery and 13 visits to cuckooed locations occurred.
Educational inputs was delivered across the GM area, one such was to 60 students from the Stockport County educational program, the target audience being predominantly 16-year-old teenagers.
The week of action coincided with the launch of North West Regional Organised Crime Unit ‘Eyes Open’ county lines campaign, which was supported by GMP. The campaign aims to educate communities on the grooming tactics that criminal gangs use and to protect vulnerable children from exploitation.
Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop of GMP’s Programme Challenger said: “We are continuing to do all we can to disrupt drug lines, which bring misery to our communities in the form of drug dealing and violence.
“The results we secured during this week of action are outstanding – with a significant number of warrants executed, arrests made and dangerous weapons taken off the streets and away from harming people.
“The relentless enforcement activity has led to changes in the county lines business model, as drug dealers seek to adapt and evade detection.
“We will continue to be agile in our approach to continue to effectively suppress and disrupt drugs supply chains.”
Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Safer and Stronger Communities, added: “County lines is an abhorrent form of grooming that preys on the young and vulnerable. We all have a responsibility to prevent it and take action when it does happen.
“That’s why Programme Challenger is so important, as it brings together police, local authorities, criminal justice agencies and the voluntary sector to educate and steer young people away from crime, but also take robust action against the organised criminal gangs who hide behind the victims doing their bidding.
“This week of action has been an excellent demonstration of the relentless focus that not only Greater Manchester Police has on tackling this, but partners and services across our city-region. We are united in continuing to disrupt this activity and protecting our communities.”
