Drugs, machetes and suspected stolen property were all recovered by officers
One of the men arrested in Heywood(Image: GMP)
Seventeen suspects have been arrested in a string of dawn raids as police swoop on an ‘organised crime gang’. More than 250 officers stormed the streets of Heywood during two waves of strikes this morning (October 7).
Greater Manchester Police says it targeted properties linked to a suspected organised crime group. Tactical Aid Unit officers smashed through doors and windows from 5am, before arresting people who are believed to hold senior criminal positions.
Officers arrested 16 men aged between 19 and 49 on suspicion of various offences – including drugs supply, assault, violent disorder, affray, burglary, and robbery. A 21-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs.
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Police seized multiple quantities of drugs, a Surron bike, multiple machetes, knives, and suspected stolen property. A cannabis farm was also found across two floors of a property.
Detective Sergeant Hannah Taala, from GMP’s Rochdale district, said: “This day has been months in the planning and I am delighted with the results that have already come in. We have arrested multiple people suspected of being involved in a range of offences, including drug-dealing, robberies, burglaries, and assaults.
Police make their way into a house during a raid(Image: GMP)
“This cycle of violence stops here. We have been able to strike a significant blow against a group that has been causing misery across the Rochdale district. People have asked us to tackle the issue and that’s exactly what we’ve done. The work doesn’t stop now, with searches still ongoing, further intelligence gathered, and evidence being compiled to secure charges.
“We will continue to tackle any issues that arise in Rochdale and put in bespoke plans to address them wherever we can. Make no mistake, today was a huge day and one that has required extensive planning – but we will not hesitate to have further mornings like this if anyone else decides to ruin others’ lives with their actions.”
The operation was carried out by officers from Rochdale CID, Operation Challenger, and Neighbourhood teams, who have been painstakingly working through mountains of evidence, intelligence and data, according to GMP. Intelligence on the group’s work has been gathered using a combination of surveillance, digital investigations, witness accounts, CCTV analysis and forensic enquiries.
Some of the items seized(Image: GMP)
“The group is believed to be involved in a wide-spanning range of criminality – including drug-dealing, violence, child criminal exploitation, cuckooing, burglary, theft, robbery, and more,” a GMP spokesperson added. “While work has been taking place during this time to tackle various crimes – which has seen arrests and charges – today is aimed at targeting and dismantling the group in one fell swoop.”