Four arrests after drugs, ammunition and fake gun uncovered in dawn raids

Four men have been arrested after suspected drugs, ammunition and a fake gun were uncovered in dawn raids in Wigan.

Officers burst into seven different addresses across the borough, including in Ashton-in-Makerfield and Platt Bridge, in a series of early-morning raids. They seized a 'quantity of cannabis', some suspected cocaine, an imitation firearm and ammunition, police said.

The four men - aged between 23 and 35 - were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply cannabis and money laundering. All remain in police custody to be quizzed by detectives.

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The raids were carried out as part of Operation Diner - a crackdown on county lines in the Wigan area led by GMP Challenger Wigan. Detective Inspector Patrick Wood, from the Wigan Challenger team, said: "Operation Diner is an investigation led by GMP Challenger Wigan in relation to a County Lines conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and money laundering within the Wigan borough and throughout the UK.

"Evidence has been gathered by Wigan Challenger and subsequently linked to a number of suspects in relation to the commercial-scale supply of Class B drugs and money laundering. We continue to develop the ways we gather intelligence to identify offenders who can then be pursued so we can protect victims.

"If anyone has information or suspicions about criminal activity, it should always be reported to police. If drug activity is taking place in your community, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or call GMP on 101.

"Information can be reported via the GMP website at www.gmp.police.uk using the 'report' tool."

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