Twenty five people were arrested during raids targeting crack and cocaine gangs across Warrington and Merseyside.
Almost 400 police officers raided 28 addresses across the region during an operation targeting county lines drug gangs
The dawn raids which concentrated on the Warrington area led to 25 arrests as part of Operation Spartans - the ‘largest operation to disrupt serious and organised crime’ ever marshalled by Cheshire Constabulary.
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Police targeted 16 properties in Warrington, three addresses in Merseyside, nine in the Salford and Worsley areas and one in Birmingham.
In total, 14 men were arrested in Warrington, two men and one woman in Merseyside, six men and one woman in Greater Manchester and one man in Birmingham.
The 25 arrested – aged between 19 and 55 – are currently in custody being questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.
Drugs, cash, vehicles, watches, clothing and a mountain bikes were seized during searches.
The arrests come after an eight-month investigation by the Cheshire Constabulary's Serious and Organised Crime Unit into multiple organised crime groups (OCG) operating from Manchester and Merseyside into Warrington.
The investigation was supported by officers from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit, Greater Manchester Police and Merseyside Police.
Around 370 officers are involved in this morning’s operation, including undercover operatives which were used to purchase controlled drugs as part of the investigation.
Detective Superintendent Simon Draco, Cheshire Constabulary’s lead on Serious and Organised Crime, said to the ECHO : “This morning’s strike action is the largest single operation focusing on individuals who are believed to be involved in organised criminal activity.
“The investigation centred on Warrington and those suspected of travelling from Greater Manchester and Merseyside to supply crack cocaine and heroin to drug users in the town.
“It’s well known that county line drug dealers will often prey on children and vulnerable adults. In this operation we believe homes were taken over by the organised crime groups to be used as drug dens and on occasions they utilised teenagers to be part of their criminality.
“This type of exploitation leaves people in fear but can ultimately destroy lives and ruin communities.
“Today shows we are relentless in our pursuit of these individuals to protect our community and drive the message that Cheshire is and always will be a hostile environment for serious and organised crime.
“Whether in or out of police uniform we will be patrolling your streets and Cheshire’s borders to prevent any organised crime groups attempting to fill the void created from today’s arrests.”
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