More than 100 police officers cracked down on Lancashire's 'most wanted' drug dealers after early morning raids led to 13 arrests in Burnley.
After months of undercover intelligence, operation Nimrod, the Pennine Division's largest raid in over a decade, swooped on suspected dealers of crack cocaine and heroin.
Coinciding with the start of National Drugs Week, arrests were made at dozens of properties in the Burnley Wood, Trinity, Bank Hall, Daneshouse and Stoneyholme areas of the town.
The operation started at 8am when officers gathered at Burnley Football Club before heading off to each target address.
A total of men and three women were arrested as Drugs, including heroin, and large amounts of cash were seized from the houses.
Chief Supt Clive Tattum said: “There is a close link between people involved in Class A drug selling, and serious acquisitive crimes such as burglary and theft from vehicles.
“We hope that removing drug dealers we will also reduce the number of other crimes as well.
“Raids on this scale can be very disruptive and we are very grateful to local residents for their tolerance and support. I would emphasise that we are targeting drug dealers as individuals, not a specific section of the community.”
A 35-year-old woman and 50-year-old man at a house in Pritchard Street, a 38-year-old woman in Hallwell Street, a 36-year-old man in Parliament Street, a 39-year-old man in Dall Street, a 39-year-old man in Clive Street, a 40-year-old man in Thorn Street, a 35-year-old man in Albert Street, a 38-year-old woman in Randall Street, a 25-year-old man in Leyland Road, a 34-year-old man from Ayr Grove and a 40-year-old man of no fixed abode were all arrested on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs.
A 22-year-old man was also arrested at the Randall Street property on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.
Cheif Supt Tattum added: "The message from the operation is if you engage in this type of activity, be under no illusion, you will be targeted."
All 13 are due before Burnley magistrates.
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