Suspected drug dealer found hiding in shed

This morning, Wigan neighbourhood police officers, supported by the district’s specialist anti-gang detectives and local PCSOs, executed a warrant at an address on Frog Lane, Wigan, in response to concerns about drug dealing and anti-social behaviour.

This is the third warrant this week to tackle drug supply and exploitation and is part of the district’s commitment to cracking down against drug dealing, particularly county lines, in Wigan and Leigh.

Following an unsuccessful attempt at hiding in a nearby shed, a 23 year old man was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of drugs. He remains in police custody for questioning.

Our local PCSO’s were also on hand to speak to any residents who had any questions or concerns about recent activity and offer crime prevention tips.

Detective Inspector Pat Wood from GMP Wigan Challenger Team said: “As a district, we are susceptible to county lines drug dealing, and gangs coming from neighbouring areas to exploit our residents.

“We work really closely with partners, specialist departments across the force, and colleagues from neighbouring forces to increase the resilience of our communities, and ensure Wigan is utterly hostile to criminality.

Our communities are our best source of information, and we always ask for you to be our eyes and our ears. If you have concerns about drug supply in your area, report it to us so we can act.”

You can do this completely anonymously as we don’t need to know who you are, just what you know. If you have any information about drug dealing, anti-social behaviour, or any other offences, please do get in contact by calling 101 or using our Live Chat function online at www.gmp.police.uk.

A county line sees organised crime groups use mobile phones, known as a ‘line’ or a ‘graft’, to extend their criminal enterprise into new locations, usually from a city into rural areas.

They often target vulnerable people, including children and disabled people, to facilitate their drug dealing operation.

There are several signs to look out for that may indicate someone is involved in county lines:

• repeatedly going missing from school or home and being found in other areas
• having money, new clothes or electronic devices and they can't explain how they paid for them
• getting high numbers of texts or phone calls, being secretive about who they're speaking to
• decline in school or work performance
• significant changes in emotional or physical well-being