Police arrest gang's 'main players' after storming homes in dawn raids
Police in Greater Manchester conducted dawn raids in Derker, Oldham, arresting six individuals linked to a large-scale drug importation operation. The suspects, aged 18 to 32, are accused of importing cannabis, cocaine, and prescription drugs from North America, Europe, Thailand, and China via postal and courier services. Weapons including a crossbow and machete were seized. The operation, part of 'Operation Vulcan' and 'Operation Concept', targets an organised crime group believed to be distributing drugs across Derker and Oldham. Authorities have intercepted significant drug shipments and made over 50 arrests in the past year.
Police Smash Drug Import Ring in Dawn Derker Raids
Greater Manchester Police arrested six people and seized weapons during early-morning raids targeting an organised crime group suspected of importing large quantities of cannabis through postal and courier services.
The operation in Derker, Oldham, saw officers storm multiple linked addresses at dawn, arresting four men aged 18 to 32 and two 26-year-old women. One woman was held on suspicion of assisting an offender, while the others were arrested for alleged drug supply and importation offences.
Detective Superintendent Jen Kelly, who heads Operation Vulcan targeting Derker criminals since March, said officers recovered a crossbow and machete during the raids. The operation follows intelligence from Operation Concept, a county-wide investigation into criminals using international delivery services to ship drugs from North America, Europe, Thailand and China to Greater Manchester addresses.
“We believe there is an organised crime group in Derker who are repeatedly importing over a number of months large quantities of cannabis,” Kelly stated. “We believe we have arrested the main players in this group. These individuals are known criminals. They are dangerous.”
The investigation has also searched a cell at HMP Oakwood in Staffordshire of an inmate believed linked to the group. Police say the network imported drugs in kilo quantities to supply Derker and wider Oldham, with officers also examining phones and digital devices for evidence.
Since Operation Concept launched, UK Border Force has intercepted 20 kilos of cocaine, 643 kilos of cannabis, 11 kilos of crystal meth and one kilo of amphetamine destined for Greater Manchester addresses. The Serious Organised Crime Group has made 53 arrests and recovered over £647,000 cash, 81 kilos of cannabis, plus quantities of ketamine, MDMA and cocaine.
Source: Read original article