32 arrested as 300 police swoop in huge Cheshire drug crackdown

Jun 28 2007 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

MORE than 300 police officers took part in synchronised early morning raids as part of Cheshire’s largest ever drugs operation.

Operation Crackdown saw 32 people arrested during a series of raids at 37 properties in Northwich and Winsford.

Four of the people arrested were women, four were teenage boys, and the remaining 24 were adult men. Most were last night still helping police with their enquiries.

Chief Supt Tim Jackson said the operation could not have been carried out without the support of local people who supplied information about drug dealing.

He added: “ This type of intelligence is invalu-able. Removing the suppliers is just one part of tackling the overall problem and our work will continue. The clear message we are sending out to those who sell drugs is that you will not be tolerated, you will be caught and you will be dealt with robustly.

“This is a message not just from police, but also from the public who supplied us with some of the information which has made this operation so successful.”

Cheshire Police said part of the process of breaking the supply cycle is to make those who use drugs aware of the help and support available to them.

Yesterday afternoon, leaflets were posted through letterboxes in the communities where arrests have been made with advice on drug rehabilitation services.

In addition, Cheshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team will be working alongside police both out in the community and in custody areas to ensure support is available.