Challenger officers make 54 arrests and seize £300k worth of drugs during County Lines Intensification Week

Our Challenger teams have continued to disrupt and dismantle drug lines across the city-region, as part of the national county lines intensification week (25 November – 1 December 2024).

County lines is the use of dedicated phone lines to deal drugs from one location to another, that are likely to exploit children and vulnerable adults.

Programme Challenger is our multi-agency approach to tackling organised crime in Greater Manchester, with police and partners dedicated to pursuing criminals and protecting victims.

During the week, activity was mainly focused on two areas; pursue and protect. Pursue includes activity such as warrants and how officers are pursing criminals, while protect looks at how we protect victims and young people from being exploited by county lines drugs gangs.

Pursue

Challenger teams across Greater Manchester carried out a number of warrants and arrests targeting identified county lines and drug phone lines, operated by different organised crime groups (OCGs) and individuals supplying class A drugs.

Officers executed 39 warrants, resulting in 54 arrests. More than £26,500 of cash was seized and over £300,000 worth of drugs were taken off the streets, resulting in 22 drugs lines being closed.

Seized drugs included crack, heroin, cocaine and cannabis, THC vapes, cannabis edibles, ecstasy tablets, ketamine, steroids and amphetamine.

Officers also seized 25 bladed articles, three firearms and 39 rounds of ammunition.  

A warrant was executed in Oldham in relation to a social media app Telegram drug channel supplying synthetic cannabinoids in the form of vape liquids locally to school age children in Oldham and further afield across the UK.

The synthetic cannabinoids are marketed as ‘THC liquids’ to appeal to cannabis users, with flavoured vape liquids being mixed to appeal to children. The effects can cause serious side effects akin to spice use and can be fatal.

Mohammed Aftab (20/12/2004) of Hayfield Close, Moorside, was charged with supplying or offering to supply a controlled drug. He has been remanded into custody.

Following an increase in intelligence and threat assessment, on Thursday 28 November, action was taken against one of the leading members of an organised crime group.

Recovered was £2,000 in cash, a supply quantity of class A drugs, a firearm, four machetes and 10 phones with at least four likely to be active drug lines.

A male and three others were arrested on suspicion of drug offences.

Protect

Young children and vulnerable adults are frequently manipulated into trafficking and distributing drugs in various areas. This grooming process is typically accompanied by violence and coercive tactics.

In collaboration with Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), a total of 38 children were safeguarded, as well as 25 adults. Seven national referral mechanisms were submitted to support potential victims of modern slavery and 13 visits to cuckooed locations occurred.

Educational inputs was delivered across the GM area, one such was to 60 students from the Stockport County educational program, the target audience being predominantly 16-year-old teenagers.

The week of action coincided with the launch of North West Regional Organised Crime Unit ‘Eyes Open’ county lines campaign, which was supported by GMP. The campaign aims to educate communities on the grooming tactics that criminal gangs use and to protect vulnerable children from exploitation.

Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop of GMP’s Programme Challenger said: “We are continuing to do all we can to disrupt drug lines, which bring misery to our communities in the form of drug dealing and violence.

“The results we secured during this week of action are outstanding – with a significant number of warrants executed, arrests made and dangerous weapons taken off the streets and away from harming people.

“The relentless enforcement activity has led to changes in the county lines business model, as drug dealers seek to adapt and evade detection.

“We will continue to be agile in our approach to continue to effectively suppress and disrupt drugs supply chains.”

Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Safer and Stronger Communities, added: “County lines is an abhorrent form of grooming that preys on the young and vulnerable. We all have a responsibility to prevent it and take action when it does happen.

“That’s why Programme Challenger is so important, as it brings together police, local authorities, criminal justice agencies and the voluntary sector to educate and steer young people away from crime, but also take robust action against the organised criminal gangs who hide behind the victims doing their bidding.

“This week of action has been an excellent demonstration of the relentless focus that not only Greater Manchester Police has on tackling this, but partners and services across our city-region. We are united in continuing to disrupt this activity and protecting our communities.”

Information, support and how to report

You can find all the signs you should be looking out for on our website Programme Challenger | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)

If you believe you may be a victim of exploitation or know someone who is further information or support can be provided by the organisations below:

Catch 22 is a specialist support and rescue service for young people and their families who are criminally exploited through county lines.

Safecall offers a safe space for people affected by exploitation to talk about their experiences in confidence and can also provide reassurance, support and help formulate a plan via their dedicated service.

Young people can contact Crimestopper's via Fearless to access non-judgemental information and advice.

The National Crime Agency County Lines website explains more about county lines and indicators of exploitation in your area.

The Safeguarding Network have helpful tips for understanding indicators of exploitation and what may make a young person more vulnerable to being exploited.

If drug activity is taking place in your community, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or by calling GMP on 101.