GMP makes 39 arrests and seizes £160k worth of drugs during County Lines Intensification Week

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) took part in a national week of intensification last week (October 9-15), aimed at disrupting and dismantling County Lines.

County Lines are the use of dedicated phone lines to supply drugs from urban areas out to smaller towns across the country.

This does, however, also occur from one area to another within the same city. 

A total of 32 warrants took place, resulting in 39 arrests across Greater Manchester, with over £90,000 in cash and drugs with a street value of over £160,000 seized.

These included heroin, crack, cocaine, cannabis, pills, and ketamine.

Mobile phones, and multiple vehicles were confiscated along with a taxi and an e-bike.

A Rolex watch, and other high value clothing were also recovered.

With County Lines drug operations often also comes serious violence, whether that be aimed inside the groups themselves, or towards rival gangs.

As part of this intensification period officers have discovered and seized three firearms, hunting knives, machetes, knuckle dusters, extendable batons, swords, axes, and BB guns.

These seizures are incredibly important as they demonstrate GMP’s unwavering commitment to tackling serious violence and preventing harm to the community.

Some highlight moments across the week included

Two arrests of women and an arrest of a man were made in Wythenshawe on Tuesday, October 10, following two warrants at homes in the area.

Alona Gordon (aged 19) of Briscoe Lane in Newton Heath, has been charged and remanded with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and as being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin.

Melissa McDonald (aged 46) of Boxhill Drive, Manchester, has been charged with permitting the use of premises for supply of Class A drugs and been placed on court bail.

Emma Muirhead (47) of Boxhill Drive, Manchester, has been charged and remanded for possession with intent to supply cocaine and cannabis.

They await their next court appearances.

A quantity of crack cocaine, cocaine, cannabis, ketamine as well as a machete, two extendable batons and three mobile phones have been recovered.

Following two drugs warrants on the Wigan district, a man has been charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

William Bates (aged 24) of Tintern Avenue, Tyldesley, has been remanded awaiting a further court appearance.

Two women also arrested have been bailed whilst enquiries continue.

A man has been charged following a pursuit during a warrant in Ashton on Friday, October 13.

Ryan Cook (aged 33) of Hope Street has been charged with possession with intent to supply Class A drugs, namely cocaine and heroin and possession with intent to supply cannabis.

Officers recovered a quantity of drugs during the search of a property and car.

Mathias Akinyemi (aged 27) of Ardwick Green North awaits his next court appearance on Friday, November 17 remanded in relation to charges of possession with intent to supply Class A and Class B drugs, as well as possession of criminal property.

A joint warrant with officers from the City of Manchester Central Challenger, XCalibre Task Force and Longsight Neighbourhood Team was conducted on Friday, October 13, with a quantity of cannabis and cocaine recovered as well as a hunting knife, body armour, high value clothing and jewellery, plus cash estimated to be £12,000.

What else GMP have been doing during the week

Another element to the week of intensification was ensuring those identified as being exploited into County Lines, whether that be children or vulnerable adults, were engaged with and safeguarded, with the aim of helping them through the process of getting out of their current situation.

In total, 17 adults and 42 children were referred into safeguarding, with 20 cuckooed addresses also visited. (cuckooing is the term used for when criminals exploit vulnerable people into letting them store drugs or other items linked to criminality within their property.)

The week also saw additional training delivered to officers and partners, proactive patrols took place in hotspot areas, knife arches were put up in key locations, taxi licensing checks carried out, street surgeries with communities held, and school inputs delivered alongside partners.

Tackling County Lines effectively is not possible only through arresting people; increased awareness of signs to spot, preventative and divertive measures, and community engagement are important aspects of the problem-solving approach GMP and Programme Challenger partners in Greater Manchester take every day, not just during national intensification weeks.

Information, support and how to report

You can find all the signs you should be looking out for on GMP's website here

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.

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