Gold bars, cash and drugs recovered in dawn raids

Officers executed searches at addresses in Rochdale as part of an operation aimed at tackling drugs supply and the exploitation of children and adults

Sixteen people have been arrested following dawn raids in Rochdale.

Officers executed searches at addresses in Rochdale as part of an operation aimed at tackling drugs supply and the exploitation of children and adults.

The investigation is being led by Rochdale’s Organised Crime Team, supported by the Sunrise Team and Programme Challenger which is Greater Manchester’s partnership approach to tackling serious and organised crime and exploitation.

Police recovered large quantities of cash, drugs and gold bars during the searches.

Five cars were also seized during the operation.

Fourteen men aged 25, 26, 22, 22, 48, 25, 27, 20, 22, 21, 25, 21, 34, 29 and one woman aged 29 were arrested on suspicion of section 45 of the organized crime act.

One man aged 35 was arrested on suspicion of drugs offences.

They all remain in custody for questioning.

Chief Superintendent Neil Evans, of GMP’s Rochdale borough, said: “Today’s warrants are a result of hard work by police alongside our partner agencies, and is a great example of the work we are doing to protect vulnerable victims from exploitation and disrupt organised crime.

“We have acted swiftly and taken prompt action to ensure that potential victims are supported and safeguarded.

“We will never tolerate drugs on our streets, and today we have successfully stopped a large amount of drugs destined for the street of Rochdale.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 8589 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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