Three people arrested during early morning warrants tackling drug dealing and modern slavery in Wigan

Officers in GMP’s Wigan  Complex Safeguarding Team supported by Wigan Challenger team, local neighbourhood officers and TAU conducted warrants at three addresses in Aspull, Ince and Wigan as part of an investigation into a county drugs line operating in the area.

The operation, also aided by community intelligence and GMP's ongoing investigation into drugs and county lines operations, resulted in the successful arrests of three people.

An 18-year-old woman, 17-year-old boy and a 21-year-old man were all arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to sell the class B drug of cannabis and modern slavery.

It is believed the controllers of the drug line are using young teenagers to deal drugs for them.

During the operation, the team seized mobile phones, debtors lists and cannabis.

Detective Inspector Patrick Wood, of GMP’s Wigan Challenger Team, said: “Today’s warrants are the culmination of a thorough investigation by our Complex Safeguarding Team, which is dedicated to tackling child criminal exploitation (CCE) in the Wigan area. Drugs supply has blighted members of this community for some time and results like today go a long way to help combat it.

“The investigation has identified significant members of the county line and we have now arrested these nominals. We believe the adult members of the line have conspired with each other to distribute illegal drugs and are exploiting children and recruiting them into drug supply.

“Arresting these individuals allows us to protect and safeguard vulnerable children connected to the suspects and others within the community, resulting in further prevention of exploitation. Where we identify any victim of CCE, we are able to utilise our strong working relationships with partners to ensure we enact comprehensive safeguarding measures to support victims and remove them from the risks of this lifestyle.

“On the back of today’s warrants, we will also work with our partners through the Wigan Challenger Partnership Board, taking the ‘Achilles heel’ approach to this type of criminality where we will look at other enforcement action against those arrested such as any breaches of housing agreements, benefit claims and proceeds of crime offences and colleagues from Wigan Council are already involved in supporting today’s activity.

“We cannot secure results like this without the support of the local community, their support in reporting intelligence to us means we can play a part in making our neighbourhoods safer. I urge the public to keep sharing information about criminal activities or expressing their concerns through contacting us directly via live-chat, speaking to your local neighbourhood officer or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

“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."

A county line is the advertisement of illegal drugs via a mobile phone, known as a ‘graft line’, the drugs are then moved by dealers from one area to another as well as to other places across the country.

The organised crime groups will often exploit children to transport the drugs and money profited from its supply. The exploitation often includes using the homes of vulnerable adults as a base to store and deal the drugs from – a term known as cuckooing.

Here are signs of child criminal exploitation to look out for: Unexplained gifts, money and new expensive clothes or accessories; Increased missing from home episodes; New friendship groups; Receiving excessive calls or messages from ‘new friends’; Carrying weapons and may have a few mobile phones; Secretive or withdrawn from family and/or friends; Getting picked up or dropped off by unknown people; Not seeing the person who lives there, and a clear change in behaviour and routine; Increase in visitors or cars to a house or flat at unsociable hours; Signs of drug use such as strange smells coming from the property; Windows covered or curtains closed all the time; People talking on phones outside the address.

If you have information relating to organised crime – no matter how small – please contact either Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or call GMP on 101.

Below are services available to seek help and support:
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.