Dawn raids were carried out simultaneously on properties in Bolton, Bury, Rossendale and Salford in a police investigation into drug dealing and money laundering.

Six people suspected of being part of an organised crime group involved in a large-scale drugs supply and money laundering conspiracy were arrested

Bury Times: Multiple arrests were made

Police from Greater Manchester Police's Serious Organised Crime Group and Economic Crime Unit swooped on 13 properties in the North West.

With the assistance from other forces and district officers they arrested three women between the aged of 35 and 40 and three men between the ages of 38 and 41 on suspicion of money laundering.

They remain in police custody for questioning.

Bury Times: Police visited 13 properties

A 38-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis.

At a house in Bury police seized £1,000 in cash, luxury jewellery and two air rifles.

Elsewhere police recovered jewellery and clothes.

The operation is the latest in a series by the specialist Economic Crime Unit, who over the last financial year, have forfeited almost £14 million cash and criminal assets.

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Bury Times: The economic crime unit led the work

Detective Inspector Sarah Langley from GMP Economic Crime Unit said : “People are becoming increasingly creative in how they launder money made from illicit enterprises, and that’s why we have teams of specialist detectives whose job it is to stay one step ahead of them.

“This morning we’ve recovered significant amounts of money and discovered items that we believe have been acquired through the proceeds of crime.

“Money laundering costs the UK economy and taxpayers billions of pounds, with the illicit finance often being used to fund other forms of serious organised crime.

"Our team will continue to target those suspected to be involved, and we will seize their criminal assets and cash so that they can be reinvested into the communities of Greater Manchester who deserve it.”