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Today (Tuesday 25 March 2025), some residents were given an unexpected early morning wakeup call as officers from GMP City of Manchester’s Operation Challenger Unit, with assistance from our Tactical Aid Unit (TAU), carried out 10 simultaneous warrants at addresses across the Longsight, Ardwick and Northmoor areas of Manchester.
Seven people have been arrested on suspicion of being concerned with the supply of class A drugs - three men in their 20s one man in his 40s, one woman in her 30s and two teenagers. They all remain in police custody for questioning.
Class A drugs estimated to be worth around £10,000 in street value, along with zombie knives and a Breitling watch worth £1,800, were seized in searches of the addresses.
This dedicated operation, tackling serious organised crime gangs operating in Manchester, was launched in September 2024. It came off the back of intelligence gathered following a firearms discharge in a dispute between rival gangs, outside a music venue in December 2023.
These warrants were the result of a painstaking and extensive investigation undertaken by the City of Manchester Challenger team, alongside partners, to tackle organised crime gangs concerned in the supply of class A drugs across Longsight, Ardwick and Northmoor.
Organised crime groups blight our communities, putting children at risk of being criminally exploited, vulnerable people at risk of being cuckooed, and increase levels of crimes, such as burglaries.
Programme Challenger is Greater Manchester’s response to tackling serious and organised crime, such as: county lines, exploitation of young children and vulnerable adults, modern slavery, immigration and economic crime, and the use of firearms.
Detective Inspector Christopher Woodburn, from the City of Manchester Operation Challenger Unit, said: “Our aim is always to disrupt and dismantle organised crime groups operating in our local communities and keep our residents safe from harm.
“This morning’s warrants have successfully resulted in seven arrests, and the removal of class A drugs and harmful weapons from our streets.
“Our team has put a lot of time and effort into this investigation, but our work does not stop here, we will continue to tackle serious and organised crime gangs and the associated violence and exploitation that comes with them.
“We would not be able to achieve this without receiving intelligence from the local community, so please continue to submit information to us.”
If you are concerned about criminal activity within your area, you can report this to us directly on 101 or by reporting information using our online report tool at www.gmp.police.uk.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.