More arrests after villains’ secret network smashed
FOUR more people have been arrested as part of a major operation into a sophisticated encryption system used by gangs.
Early-morning drugs raids took place at addresses in Ramsbottom and Rochdale yesterday.
A man and a woman, both 31, were arrested in Ramsbottom and a man and woman, both 28, were arrested in Rochdale.
All four are being held by police on suspicion of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs and involvement in the activities of an organised crime group.
Officers seized a large quantity of money and 16 digital devices, will be examined and used in evidence. The arrests are part of an ongoing operation – codenamed Foam – to infiltrate an encrypted communication system.
Operation Foam is Greater Manchester Police’s arm of a national crackdown – Operation Venetic.
Led by the National Crime Agency, Venetic has seen law enforcement agencies across the UK join together in order to break through the “highly sophisticated” encrypted global communication service, which was being used by organised crime groups.
Detective Inspector Karl Ward of GMP’s Operation Challenger Team said: “The arrests today are the culmination of months of evidence gathering and dedicated investigative work and I extend my thanks to the Operation Challenger Team for the commitment they have put in to help disrupt this kind of activity. GMP is dedicated to disrupting and halting organised criminal activity, and we will continue to work to dismantle the networks involved in the distribution of drugs throughout our communities.”
Anyone with information can contact the Operation Challenger Team on 0161 856 8539.