27 arrested in police drugs probe
DETECTIVES have arrested 27 people across East Lancashire as part of crackdown operation on county lines drug-dealing and child criminal exploitation.
Officers executed warrants at properties in Haslingden and Hyndburn as part of Operation Thunder. They recovered a significant amount of cannabis, as well as heroin, crack cocaine, mobile phones and paraphernalia associated with drug-dealing.
A total of 24 males and three females were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences related to drug-dealing during the week-long strike action which started on November 30 and ended on December 4.
DS Stu Peall, of the East Lancashire Exploitation Team, said: “This week of targeted strike action has been focused on disrupting organised criminal activity and those who bring misery to the most vulnerable members of our communities. This work was carried out on the back of concerns raised in the community and information about the possible exploitation of children.”
» Aqeeb Ali, 26, of Rock Street, Haslingden, has appeared before magistrates charged with conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine.