Dawn raid at property as part of investigation into drug dealing and ‘cuckooing’

Officers broke into the bungalow off Chorley New Road at around 6.30am.

PC Andy Shaw (Image: Leah Collins) A man in  his 20s was arrested on suspicion of being concerned with the supply of a Class A substance and cuckooing after a search of the property.

A man in his 20s was arrested on suspicion of being concerned with the supply of a Class A substance and cuckooing. (Image: Greater Manchester Police) The raid was as a result of intelligence as part of an investigation into a known drug line operating in the Bolton area.

Officer PC Andy Shaw said they are also investigating  ‘cuckooing’ exploitation at the address.

Cuckooing is when the home of a vulnerable person is taken over by criminals who use it as a base for illegal activities, such as drug dealing.

It is set to become a specific criminal offence as part of new legislation being introduced to Parliament next week.

Officers stormed the building in the early hours of the morning. (Image: Greater Manchester Police) PC Shaw said: “There is potential for the occupants, that they are being cuckooed at the address which is why we are taking the action that we have done today.”

‘Cuckooing’ is set to become a criminal offence following discussions in Parliament next week (Image: Greater Manchester Police) PC Shaw said: “Cuckooing is vile and awful. A lot of times these gangs will come to people’s address and take it over, the person that resides at the address a lot of times they can’t say no, they’re threatened, coerced, vulnerable and sometimes fed drugs.

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“It’s a cuckooing week of action at GMP.”

Police say that they will be  safeguarding the occupants here at this address as the investigation continues.

Officers carried out a search of the address and seized a mobile phone believed to be used as a drugs line. (Image: Greater Manchester Police) Since September 2022, the County Lines Team have made approximately 366 arrests with 304 charges, seized around 108kg of class A and class B drugs and closed around 397 Type 1 county drugs lines.

PC Shaw said the raid was part of an investigation into a ‘drugs line’  which is  “supplying the whole of Bolton“.

He said: “It’s been ongoing since at least December.”

The officer said they do come across ‘cuckooing’ in their line of work tackling county lines drug dealing.

A man was arrested at the scene  (Image: Leah Collins)

Often criminals and organised crime gangs (OCGs) target people who are lonely, isolated, or have addiction issues. It’s common for OCGs to use a property for a short amount of time, moving address frequently to reduce the chance of being caught. 

There are several signs to look out for that may indicate someone is a victim of cuckooing such as frequent visitors at unsociable hours, changes in your neighbour’s daily routine, unusual smells coming from a property, suspicious or unfamiliar vehicles outside an address or neighbours looking dishevelled or seemingly anxious. 

PC Shaw from GMP’s County Lines Team, added: “We’ve closed down a suspected drugs line in Bolton this morning which we believe may have been exploiting vulnerable people and taking over their own home – known as cuckooing.  

Since September 2022, the County Lines Team have made approximately 366 arrests with 304 charges. (Image: Greater Manchester Police) “Our dedicated county lines team has closed down 160 drugs lines in the last year and continues to pursue suspects and protect victims. 

“Drugs blight communities; from addiction to the exploitation of vulnerable people, illicit substances cause damage across Greater Manchester. 

“We are unrelenting in our pursuit of organised criminals, and we will continue to act swiftly on intelligence we receive and proactively pursue offenders. 

“If you have any concerns about drug supply or county lines operating in your area or feel like you have witnessed something suspicious, please do get in touch with us. You can report information to the police on 101, via gmp.police.uk, or by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.” 

 

Source – INDIA TV