Police stopped a house party being held in defiance of the lockdown rules where the occupants - including children - appeared to be drunk and under the influence of drugs.
Officers were called to the terraced home on Micklehurst Road in Mossley just before midnight on Friday.
They arrested one of the occupants for possessing class A drugs while the youths found inside were ordered to return to their homes.
No police action could be taken against the tenants as the emergency legislation to enforce the lockdown can only be used against people who visit other properties.
However, officers have informed their landlord.
The incident is further evidence that a significant minority of people are continuing the flout lockdown rules designed to prevent the spread of coronavirus and stop the NHS being overwhelmed.
Greater Manchester Police revealed details of the incident on its Tameside North Facebook page.
The post said: "Patrols have just attended reports of a house party in Mossley. On arrival 7 males present including 4 juveniles. Most present were intoxicated and under the influence of drugs. 1 Male adult arrested for possession of Class A and Breach of Corona Restrictions.
"The juveniles have been directed home and a report to the landlord will submitted in relation to their tenants. No regard given by the adults living there to the current situation so positive action taken."
The Coronavirus Act 2020 does not give police powers to enter private dwellings, so officers are having to use other laws, for instance the Public Order Act or anti-social behaviour legislation.
Officers have been left frustrated because the emergency legislation does not allow them to address the occupants of homes, only the visitors who are breaching the lockdown rules.
GMP's Facebook post continued: "Unfortunately we can only work with the legislation that has been written. The occupants weren’t interested in my explanation of what the issue is which is why we’ll make contact with the landlord who may be able to utilise other areas of law."
Police are continuing to receive calls from residents complaining about neighbours flouting the lockdown rules.
The national lockdown, which was announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on March 23, stipulates that people should only leave their homes to shop for basic necessities or medicine, for one form of exercise each day, for a medical need or to care for a vulnerable person or to go to work if that work cannot be done at home.
Public gatherings of more than two people are prohibited and, if people go out, they should try to remain two metres away from others.
Over the four days of the Easter bank holiday, police were called to 1,008 reports of house parties being held in apparent defiance of the lockdown.
Chief Constable Ian Hopkins, who has repeatedly urged people to abide by the lockdown, has said his officers in the first instance will try to engage with people to persuade them to abide by the lockdown rules before going on to consider enforcement.
The courts have seen a steady stream of people charged with breaching the lockdown although the emergency legislation only allows for a fine.
Last month the M.E.N. reported how residents in Bolton threw an all-day house party.
Jamie Sparrow told police he could 'do what he wants' after he was ordered to break up the gathering at his home pm Princess Avenue, Kearsley.
Officers were called to the house on Wednesday (April 15) after a complaint from a nurse who lived on the street.
They found six people from different households enjoying a barbecue and drinking alcohol.
A disturbance then broke out in the street after Sparrow's next door neighbour Helen Bent directed a torrent of abuse at the woman who had complained.
Bent, 32, and Sparrow, 28, were arrested and spent a night in the cells before appearing at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
Bent and Sparrow were fined £120 and £250 respectively. Both were ordered to pay £119 in costs.
