Bolton arrest as police crackdown on organised crime in city region

A total of 258 officers were deployed in the day of action tackling serious and organised crime across the region.

In total 23 men linked to an Organised Crime Group in Greater Manchester were arrested.

Police from across the units and departments in Greater Manchester worked together today alongside Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson.

A briefing was held at Clayton Brook complex at 5:30am.

258 officers worked together (Image: GMP)

In total 22 warrants were executed where a total of 23 suspects were arrested.

Seventeen men, between the ages of 18 and 55, and six boys between the ages of 13 and 17 were arrested on suspicion of a range of offences.

This included conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs modern day slavery offences and robbery.

Eleven of these arrests were made across the City of Manchester, with one in Bolton and one in Bury.

Four were made in Salford, two in Wigan and one in Rochdale.

Eleven of these arrests were made across the City of Manchester. (Image: GMP)

Another two arrests were made in Merseyside and one in South Wales.

Several weapons have been seized, including two imitation firearms, bladed articles and tasers, along with Class A and Class B drugs – cocaine and ketamine – £3,000 of cash, eight Rolex watches, valuables in excess of £40,000, and a caravan, all believed to be related to the group’s criminal activity. 

Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop, who leads GMP’s Serious Organised Crime Division, said: “Today’s operation has been a powerful example of our continued, determined effort to dismantle organised crime in our region. 

“We now have 23 people in custody; all linked to a family-run organised crime group that have been causing widespread harm across our communities. Their criminal enterprise has been significantly disrupted and today marks a major step towards completely dismantling their operation. 

Several weapons have been seized along with class A and class B drugs (Image: GMP)

“During the execution of 22 warrants across Greater Manchester and Liverpool this morning, officers weapons, drugs, suspected criminally gained cash, and even a caravan believed to have been used as the headquarters of their operation. 

“The exploitation of children and the supply of drugs will never be tolerated. The individuals we have arrested today we believe have brought significant harm, particularly to the City of Manchester and Salford. 

“Our job isn’t over, and while this operation has been six months in the planning, we will carry on with our relentless action for as long as is necessary, and until organised crime groups are dismantled. 

“We still have persons of interest that we want to lock up, so let this be a message to you: we will come for you, and we will find you.”