Over 4 kilos of amphetamines were seized in dawn raids in Salford today in one of the biggest operations of its kind.
21 men – the oldest of whom is 77 – were arrested as part of Operation Damson, which targets the drug dealers and gun runners who make lives in Salford a misery.
These were the Serious Crime Division’s “top targets”, said Deputy Chief Constable Ian Hopkins.
Cannabis and stolen motorbikes were seized, and 24 people arrested, when police smashed their way into 25 properties in the early hours of Wednesday 9 September.
Most of the addresses hit were in the Broughton area of Salford.
Pictures: 24 arrests in mass dawn organised crime raids in Salford
It comes after months of careful planning by teams of officers from the Serious Crime Division, who are involved in disrupting and breaking down gangs who deal drugs and firearms in Salford and Greater Manchester.
Deputy Chief Constable Hopkins told how the arrests would make the streets of Salford safer for local residents.
21 men aged between 20 and 77 were arrested on suspicion of including the supply of class B drugs, handing stolen goods and conspiracy to supply class C drugs.
Three women were also arrested.
Searches at a number of addresses in Salford are ongoing, and will continue throughout the day, said Greater Manchester Police.
Anyone with any more information on these incidents is asked to call police on 0161 856 9775,101, or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
