Nine arrested in dawn drugs raids

Detectives were last night interviewing those arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs.

Eighty officers, some with sniffer dogs, officers uncovered drugs, drug-measuring equipment and cash from the raided properties in the east area of the town. They also seized a Subaru Impreza car.

In the run-up to the raids, officers spent months gathering intelligence after people informed them about drug dealing in and around the Manchester Road Park area of Parkhills. Houses in East Street, South Bank Road and Heywood Street were among those targeted.

Afterwards, Chief Supt Jon Rush, warned drug dealers there was “nowhere to hide” following the operation.

He was so keen to demonstrate their zero-tolerance approach to drug crime, they invited local councillors and residents to watch the raids, sprung at 6am.

Houses in East Street, South Bank Road and Heywood Street were among those targeted by officers.

Afterwards, Chief Supt Jon Rush, warned drug dealers there was “nowhere to hide” following the operation.

He said: “Let this be a warning to anyone involved in drug dealing in Bury.

“Not only will you end up behind bars but, through Proceeds of Crime Act legislation, you will also end up out of pocket.”

Ch Supt Rush added: “The arrests are just the start of a new ongoing operation to tackle the sale and supply of drugs across our borough.

“Drugs are a major driving force behind many other crimes such as burglary, robbery and vehicle crime and that is why cracking down on those involved in this industry is a big priority for police in Bury.

“Today’s strikes have taken weeks of planning and will have caused significant disruption to the users and suppliers of illegal drugs in Bury.

“With the public’s help, this work will continue.”

Police have put drug workers on standby to help any prisoner with an addiction who may want to quit.

Anyone with information about drug-related activity can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.