12 arrested by Cheshire Police during dawn raids.

Homes in Warrington and Cumbria were targeted by police during dawn raids on Tuesday morninga s part of the Constabulary’s ongoing mission to target those involved in serious and organised crime.

As part of a significant policing investigation to crackdown on the supply of controlled drugs, suspects were woken by more than 140 officers from Cheshire Constabulary with warrants executed at 14 addresses. 

Officers arrested nine men in Warrington and one man in Widnes, all aged between 19 and 41, as well as a 23-year-old man from Carlisle in Cumbria. A 28-year-old man has also been produced from prison. All have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and are currently in custody helping police with their enquiries.

Tuesdyay's strike – known as Operation Rider – comes following a lengthy and complex covert investigation carried out by officers from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit at Cheshire Constabulary. It centered on an organised crime group well known in the Warrington area and during the operation officers from Cheshire recovered £142,000 of class A drugs (cocaine).

Detective Chief Superintendent Aaron Duggan, the Constabularies Head of Crime, said: “Today’s arrests follow a lengthy proactive operation to gather evidence and intelligence around those believed to be involved in serious and organised crime.

“It has been a huge and positive step in our continued fight against this type of criminality and we are committed to disrupt those intent on preying on the most vulnerable people in our communities.  

“This investigation focused on an influential and established organised crime group in Warrington and I hope the action taken today further reassures the community that we are continuing to tackle this crime in a positive way."