Police smash down door of family home covered in Christmas decorations in early morning strike

Greater Manchester Police raided addresses in Salford this morning in the latest phase of an operation to prevent drugs being smuggled into prison by drone.

Officers from GMP's crack Tactical Aid Unit executed warrants at two addresses in Little Hulton before dawn. The Manchester Evening News watched as cops smashed down the door of one of the properties, a family home festooned with Christmas decorations.

It follows a series of raids and arrests in October as part of Operation Dragon Fire, set up to tackle the tide of contraband getting into prisons across Greater Manchester, particularly HMP Manchester and HMP Forest Bank in Salford.

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Drugs are coming into prisons via corrupt jail staff, via prison visits from families of inmates and by packets being thrown over prison walls, but over the last seven years drones have increasingly been used as technology has improved, say police.

Gangs are recruiting expert drone pilots to help smuggle huge quantities of drugs into prisons across Greater Manchester where cocaine and spice can trade for five times the normal market value and generate huge profits for criminals.

Drones carrying payloads weighing as much as seven kilos are transporting drugs, mobile phones, tobacco and even items which aren't prohibited inside prisons such as condiments and sauces into jails.

Following this morning's op, Sgt Simon Monks told the Manchester Evening News the initiative had been set up to tackle contraband such as drugs, tobacco, sim cards and phones getting into HMP Hindley in Wigan, although the problem was affecting all prisons across Greater Manchester.

"It's a big issue across Greater Manchester. We've seen a lot of it at HMP Hindley but also at HMP Manchester," he said.

He said huge profits were at stake for drug dealers with prices inside jails often five times higher than on the streets, with the flow of contraband 'fuelling violence and disputes' behind bars.

The officer said there had a 'real upsurge' of smuggling during November and he added: "It's certainly something on the increase and something we are determined to do something about."

During the public launch of Op Dragon Fire in October, staff at prisons including senior managers were searched on their way into jails.

Police seized drones, mobile phones and drugs as part of the launch, and arrested four suspects including one which 70mph pursuit after a suspected stolen vehicle sped away from cops at HMP Forest Bank.

This morning's raids followed an incident at HMP Hindley where a drone was spotted. A man in his 20s was arrested at the time on suspicion of conveying contraband items into a prison.

Following that arrest, this morning officers executed the two warrants in Little Hulton. Police seized a machete and a number of mobile phones police believe were poised to be smuggled into prison, although nobody was arrested.

Constable Fenney, of the Wigan division, said: "This morning's warrant is just one part of our sustained, strategic approach to combating drug drops via drones and throw overs at HMP Hindley.

“We've been executing targeted operations to dismantle the networks behind these aerial contraband and drug deliveries, but our work doesn't stop here. We're working closely with prison authorities, following up on leads and pursuing those who we believe are responsible for these drops.

“I would like to remind the people of Wigan to continue to report your concerns to us, as all credible reports of information helps us build an intelligence picture to continue with our work of conducting meaningful warrants.

“You can do this direct by calling 101 or through our Live Chat function at gmp.police.uk, or alternatively speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their website.”