Pubdate: Tue, 19 Aug 2014
Source: Lancashire Evening Post (UK)
Copyright: 2014 Lancashire Evening Post
Contact:  http://www.lep.co.uk/newspaper.aspx
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2975

BOY, 13, AMONG DRUG DEALER SUSPECTS ARRESTED IN RAIDS

Police netted six suspected drug dealers - including a 13-year-old boy
- - in a series of early morning raids.

A seventh person, a 31-year-old woman, was also arrested for
possession of heroin as teams of officers forced their way into homes
around Preston in a co-ordinated swoop codenamed Operation Arrow.

The raids were carried out in St Paul's Road in Deepdale, Villers
Street in Plungington, and Fishwick Parade as part of a major attempt
to smash organised gangs which are blighting neighbourhoods.

The houses, all of which were targeted following tip-offs from local
residents, were searched using sniffer dogs, with items including
drugs, cash and mobile phones being seized.

Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw accompanied a team on one
of the raids in Deepdale, watching as officers in full body armour
used a battering ram - nicknamed 'The Enforcer' - to crash through the
front door in seconds. The Evening Post was also present at two of the
busts, one of which resulted in the arrest of a 63-year-old man on
suspicion of being involved in the supply of heroin.

"Other operations are going on in this division which will be coming
to the fore in the next few months," revealed Acting Supt Steve Dowson.

"Hopefully, this will send out a strong message that we do take the
information the public give us seriously and we do act on it. We hope
they will provide reassurance to those communities."

The swoops were part of a wider investigation called Operation Nemesis
which has been running for some time with the aim of dismantling gangs
which bring misery to areas of Lancashire.

The 13-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of possessing cannabis
with intent to supply.

Others in custody after the morning raids included two men in their
early 30s and a 21-year-old.

All seven were taken in for questioning at Preston Police
Station.

Commissioner Grunshaw said: "The message this sends out to the
criminal fraternity is they will get caught, they will not get away
with it, they are not untouchable.

"For the public the message is that when they do give information to
the police it is acted upon. I would encourage any member of the
public with any information to come forward.

"The reason this operation took place was because of the information
they gave in the first place. It's all about gathering information,
whether it be drug dealing, violence, or antisocial behaviour.

"It is about making Preston a safer place for the community to live
in."

Det Insp Warren Atkinson added: "This morning's arrests are part of
our ongoing commitment to tackle and dismantle groups and gangs who
cause serious anti-social behaviour and violence.

"We have acted on information which has been passed to us by our local
communities and we would encourage people to continue to come forward
with information."

As part of Operation Nemesis, police officers have been targeting
suspected criminal groups in Preston, Penwortham and also
Skelmersdale.

Det Insp Atkinson added: "Operation Nemesis has been set up to deal
with organised crime groups causing serious anti-social behaviour and
disruption to local neighbourhoods."

He urged anyone with information to contact police on 101 or
Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.  
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D