24 Drug Dealers Busted in Massive Piccadilly Gardens Crackdown
Operation Vulcan Strikes a Blow to Drug Crime
In a major police swoop this morning, 24 suspected drug dealers were hauled in from Piccadilly Gardens, marking a huge win in the fight against illicit drug trade in Manchester. The arrests cap off six months of intense undercover work and high-visibility patrols under the banner of Operation Vulcan.
Undercover Cops Take Down County Lines
Nearly 300 officers, including specialists from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU), stormed 23 locations across Greater Manchester. They nabbed 22 men and two women, aged 18 to 45, on suspicion of dealing class A drugs. Cops seized close to £10,000 in cash, hundreds of tiny drug bags, plus vital mobile phones and SIM cards during extensive searches.
Dramatic Fence-Hop Fail on Kenchester Avenue
In one bizarre moment, a man in his dressing gown was caught trying to flee the police by hopping fences on Kenchester Avenue. His escape attempt was short-lived as officers quickly caught up and took him into custody.
Detective’s Warning: Criminals Beware
Detective Sergeant Matt Donnelly declared, “By arresting 24 people this morning, I can confidently say we have dismantled and disrupted several different county lines and local drug networks. But we won’t be complacent, and this should be a warning for anyone who thinks criminal activity is welcome in our city.”
He added, “We want to make sure criminals are living a life of high anxiety, and I hope that anyone who considers coming to Piccadilly Gardens to deal drugs is constantly looking over their shoulder.”
Operation Vulcan, launched in September 2023, was driven by community demands to clear out drug dealers. This latest haul sends a powerful message: Greater Manchester won’t tolerate drug crime.
