In a meticulously coordinated operation, Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) Wigan Complex Safeguarding Team, with the support of the Wigan Challenger team, local officers, and the Tactical Aid Unit (TAU), executed warrants at three separate locations in Aspull, Ince, and Wigan. The primary objective of this operation was to dismantle a county drugs line that had been operating in the area, with suspected ties to modern slavery.
During the operation, GMP officers arrested an 18-year-old woman, a 17-year-old boy, and a 21-year-old man on suspicion of conspiracy to sell cannabis, a class B drug. Additionally, the suspects face charges related to modern slavery. These arrests were made possible through GMP’s ongoing investigation into drugs and county lines activities, aided by crucial community intelligence.
Detective Inspector Patrick Wood, who leads the Wigan Challenger Team, emphasized the importance of this operation in addressing child criminal exploitation (CCE) in the region. “Today’s warrants are the culmination of a thorough investigation dedicated to tackling CCE in the Wigan area,” stated DI Wood. These arrests are expected to disrupt the operations of the county line, believed to be exploiting young teenagers for drug distribution.
As part of the operation, law enforcement officials seized valuable evidence, including mobile phones, debtors’ lists, and cannabis. These discoveries provide crucial insights into the inner workings of the criminal network. DI Wood expressed his gratitude for the local community’s support, emphasizing that such results could not be achieved without their collaboration.
GMP intends to collaborate with partners through the Wigan Challenger Partnership Board, employing an ‘Achilles heel’ approach to target further enforcement actions against the arrested individuals. This approach includes a comprehensive examination of housing agreements, benefit claims, and proceeds of crime offences, with the full support of Wigan Council.
DI Wood encouraged the public to continue sharing information about criminal activities, underlining the significant impact that even small details can have on ongoing investigations. Every bit of information, no matter how small, contributes to our investigations across Greater Manchester and could support us in safeguarding the most vulnerable in our communities,” he added. The GMP remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community by tackling the menace of drug-related crime and exploitation head-on.
