Drugs raids were carried out at 21 properties in Greater Manchester this morning.

Nineteen people suspected to be involved in the supply of class A and B drugs across Greater Manchester have been arrested.

Police carried out simultaneous raids at 21 properties at 6am on Tuesday, including two in Wigan.

They involved officers from Greater Manchester Police, including its serious organised crime group and tactical aid unit, and the North West Regional Crime Unit.

The warrants were executed after an investigation in recent months into a drugs line that has been operational since October 2020.

Police believe that at least 4.2kg of class A drugs have been moved via this line.

Following a strike at a property in Farnworth, Bolton, police found a significant amount of class A drugs, believed to be crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis, as well as weighing scales, a cannabis grinder and plastic bags.

At another address, 30 wraps of what is believed to be cocaine were recovered from a vehicle suspected to be linked to one of the drug line couriers.

Fourteen men and five women were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and remain in police custody for questioning.

Det Insp Richard McCorry, from Greater Manchester Police’s serious organised crime group, said: "This morning's co-ordinated activity marks another significant step in our ongoing efforts to disrupt organised crime groups involved in the supply of class A and B drugs across Greater Manchester.

"We believe this drugs line has been operating for a number of years and has been responsible for distributing substantial quantities of class A drugs into our communities. The arrests and warrants carried out today have targeted individuals we suspect are playing key roles in that conspiracy.

"Drugs in any community fuels violence and exploitation and often sit at the heart of wider organised criminal activity. We are committed to identifying, disrupting and dismantling those responsible.

"Our investigation remains ongoing, but we will continue to work tirelessly to protect vulnerable people and ensure anyone who is involved in this sort of criminality is arrested.”