20 homes raided in drugs crackdown
TWENTY people have been arrested after police launched co-ordinated raids aimed at disrupting the supply of drugs into Macclesfield.
Drugs, including heroin, cocaine and cannabis, as well as large quantities of cash were recovered during the operation.
Twenty Macclesfield properties were among the homes targeted across three countries on Wednesday, September 16.
A number of weapons were also found during the raids in Macclesfield, Manchester and Liverpool, including a gun which was found at a property in Merseyside.
More than 200 police officers met at a secret location in Macclesfield at 5.30am and had completed the raids by 7.30am in what was described as one of the largest operations undertaken by the force.
Police arrested 20 people on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs as part of Operation Impact. The operation aims to build on previous efforts to crackdown on the illegal drugs trade in the town including Operation Dizi in 2013, Operation Dresden in 2014 and Operation Toadstool, this year.
Chief Superintendent Andy Southcott said: “This has been a carefully planned and timed strike aimed at disrupting and dismantling the drug supply in Macclesfield and the wider area, and keeping our communities safe.
“Our work doesn’t end here and I want to reassure local people that our efforts continue to fight this menace. We are only able to put together such a large scale operation because of information and engagement in the community and that gives us every piece of the jigsaw. I would like to appeal to residents to continue to have confidence in us to report things like suspicious cars or neigh- bours living beyond their means directly to police, through PCSOs walking by on their street, or through Neighbourhood Watch or PubWatch schemes.
“I’d urge anyone with information to get in touch on 101.”
Fifteen people have appeared in court. Another five have been arrested, three of them have been bailed pending further enquiries while the other two have been released without charge.