Three arrested in dawn raids in bid to break up county lines drugs network between Greater Manchester and Merseyside

Police hoping to smash a county lines drugs network arrested three suspects today. Officers from GMP and Merseyside Police carried out 6am raids.

The swoops followed an investigation into the supply of Class A drugs by an organised crime group operating between Liverpool and Wigan. The operation identified one of the addresses may have been the home of a victim of cuckooing, where criminals exploit vulnerable people, using their house as a drugs den. This morning’s activity has enabled safeguarding interventions to be put in place to protect those who could be vulnerable.

A search of three addresses – Alder Avenue in Wigan, Victoria Road in Formby and Mount Road in Kirkby uncovered a cultivation of cannabis plants, mobile phones and approximately £2,000 in cash. A 44-year-old man from Wigan, a 32-year-old man from Formby and a 35-year-old man from Kirkby have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs. They have been taken to a police station in Merseyside where they remain in custody.

Detective Supt Simon Hurst, head of Wigan's Challenger Organised Crime Team, said: “This morning we’ve taken further action to tackle the criminal gangs operating across Wigan and Merseyside. As well as making a number of arrests and seizing drugs, we’ve been able to collect valuable intelligence and safeguard a vulnerable person from further exploitation.

“Criminals don’t operate to borders and neither should we. By working with colleagues in neighbouring forces and a number of local authorities, we can combine intelligence and skills to protect the community and prevent further criminality.”

Detective Sgt Peter Sloan from Merseyside Police, said: “Merseyside’s Operation Toxic, as part of Project Medusa,