Police make 17 arrests in drug den raids

WAKE-UP call . . . officers storm into a property

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A CRACKDOWN on drug dealing saw 16 men and a woman arrested in dawn raids across Oldham yesterday.

Officers from GMP’s organised crime unit raided 14 properties in Werneth, Westwood, Busk and Coldhurst shortly after 6am in response to community concerns that street drug dealing was becoming a menace.

Codenamed Operation Alamos, the move was part of Operation Challenger - the force’s strategy for tackling organised crime across Greater Manchester.

The arrests followed months of investigations into the distribution of heroin; more than 80 officers raided homes across Oldham and Burnley, supported by Lancashire Police. Further plans to prevent further offending are now in place.

Superintendent Denise Worth of the Oldham Division, said: “The people of Oldham have told us they want drugs tackled across the borough. I hope this action highlights how seriously we take these crimes. We’ll not let people profit from spreading their misery in our neighbourhoods.”

Anyone with information or concerns about drugs should call police on 101 or 0161-856 8927.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.