Sawn-off shotgun and gas-powered pistol seized as five arrested in huge drugs bust

Five people were arrested on Thursday morning (June 29) as a sawn-off shotgun and a gas-powered Glock pistol was seized along with thousands of pounds worth of drugs in dawn raids. Three address in Rochdale, on Canon Street, Halifax Road, and Colley Street were raided by police where £40,000 in cash was also taken.

Four men and women between the ages of 20 and 42 were arrested in the raids. They remain in custody being questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

These raids came as part of a county lines drug trafficking investigations in the Rochdale area. County lines drug dealing involves transporting the illegal substances from one area to another - often across police boundaries - usually using children or vulnerable people who are exploited by gangs.

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Detective Inspector Zoe MacDonald, from GMP’s County Lines Team, said: "Simultaneous warrants were conducted at three addresses by the County Lines Team, TAU, Rochdale Challenger and Rochdale Proactive Unit as part of ongoing investigation into a dedicated county line in the Rochdale area. County lines encompasses a wide range of threats that brings with it the exploitation of vulnerable people and children and also serious risk and harm to those involved in and associated with organised crime groups.

"Today's warrants show GMP is committed to tacking county lines and its associated crimes, and that people operating in these circles will be arrested. We will act decisively where necessary and information from the public is vital to build up a full picture so we can take these lines apart.

"Anyone with information or concerns about drug dealing - or any