Drugs are being shipped in ‘fast parcels’ – and Salford is a known hotspotPolice arrested eight people following a string of raids in Irlam(Image: GMP)
As the sun began to rise, the net closed in on an alleged Salford gang.
Doors were smashed in, evidence was seized and nine people – aged from 34 to 59 – were taken into police custody, all before most of Greater Manchester had woken up.
The raids come as illicit drugs are being smuggled into the UK and distributed through ‘fast parcels’ – high-speed deliveries which are made by ordinary companies, which would be familiar to anyone who has bought items online.
Salford is a known hotspot for this type of criminal activity compared to most other areas of Greater Manchester.
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But today (July 31), police made a key dent into an alleged organised crime gang (OCG) operating in one part of the city, which is believed to be responsible for at least half a million pounds worth of cannabis being shipped into the country.
In a major operation targeting the alleged OCG running in Irlam, police arrested six men and three women on suspicion of conspiracy to import and supply class B drugs, with 75 Greater Manchester Police officers descending on the Salford suburb for the sting.
Officers bashed down doors in a string of Irlam raids(Image: GMP)
Officers also seized £14,000 in cash, discovered a cannabis farm at one of the properties and a further 7kg of the class B drug.
Detective Inspector Rebecca McGuigan told the Manchester Evening News: “I’m confident today’s operation should stem the flow [of fast parcels] into Irlam.
“I believe this OCG is responsible for most of that flood of cannabis into Irlam, so if we can deal with these individuals, it should completely disrupt that chain into that community.”
Det Insp McGuigan says police had received ‘multiple strands of intelligence’ which pointed them towards the alleged OCG running in Irlam.
The gang is believed to be responsible for the attempted smuggling of 185kg of cannabis into the UK, which was intercepted by Border Force.
Police search a property for evidence(Image: GMP)
Police also believe the gang is responsible for at least 27kg of successful ‘fast parcel’ deliveries which were ‘able to circumnavigate disruption tactics at the border’.
The combined value of both the intercepted and delivered drugs is estimated at half a million pounds – but Det Insp McGuigan says the real figure could be higher, if officers uncover evidence of further deliveries as a result of this morning’s raids.
“It’s really pleasing that we’ve been able to identify and tackle an OCG this morning,” said Det Insp McGuigan.
“It’s pleasing that we’ve tackled multiple layers of the organised group as well – from the significant members right down to the people that are facilitating their behaviour by using their addresses to accept the parcels.”
Some of the 75 officers who took part in the raids(Image: GMP)
Det Insp McGuigan says Salford has a ‘significant problem’ with ‘fast parcels’ – with a ‘significant amount of importation’ of illicit drugs using the technique.
It is just one way criminals try to flood Greater Manchester with drugs – but police insist they will adapt to take on the gangs as they change their methods.
Det Insp McGuigan said: “I think OCGs are getting more sophisticated and using different tactics, and as technology evolves we have to be flexible and agile to be able to try and disrupt and minimise the effects of that as well.
“We remain committed to being flexible and agile to try and disrupt organised criminals – and for whatever mechanism or tactic they use, we’ll adjust our behaviour as well.
A suspect is taken to a police custody van following a raid in Irlam(Image: GMP)
“This operation demonstrates we’re committed to tackling organised crime and protecting communities from harm, and we will continue to pursue those who seek to profit from this type of criminality.”
Residents with concerns about criminal activity – including the illicit drug trade – in their community are encouraged to come forward and share any information they have.
Join our Court and Crime WhatsApp group HERE
Details can be passed on to GMP by calling 101, reporting it online, or by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.