Eight arrested after crackdown on huge Manchester organised crime group

Eight people have been arrested following a mass crackdown on a Greater Manchester gang suspected of running huge quantities of drugs into the country.

Police carried out simultaneous warrants on Thursday morning (November 28) following months of investigations into the organised crime group (OCG).

After conducting searches, officers found cannabis, cocaine, and mobile phones hidden in cupboards and washing machines. The eight arrested remain in police custody for questioning.

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It comes after the launch of a covert investigation into the suspected Manchester based OCG in January. Police said the group is believed to be involved in the large scale supply of class A drugs across the country.

In July this year, police executed several warrants and arrested eleven people. They were bailed as detectives collected evidence and conducted forensic investigations into devices seized.

Downloads of their phones and recoveries of cash, drugs, and debtor lists provided crucial evidence which led to today's eight arrests.

Detective Sergeant Rich McCorry from GMP's Serious Organised Crime Group said: “Today's warrants are another huge step forwards in our ongoing crackdown against drugs in Greater Manchester and we’ve got dedicated teams of officers across the force who have made significant strides in tackling organised crime and reducing the harm it inflicts.

“Through targeted and proactive operations such as this, we continue to pursue organised criminals who dominate and intimidate communities through their illicit activities, and we remain committed to relentlessly targeting and dismantling these groups.”