Three arrested during raid targeting county lines drug dealing in Wigan
The trio are also being questioned on suspicion of modern slavery offences
Three people have been arrested after a series of raids tageting county lines drug dealing in Wigan.
The 18-year-old woman, 17-year-old boy and a 21-year-old man were all arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to sell the class B drug of cannabis and modern slavery.
Officers served warrants at homes in the Aspull, Ince and Wigan areas this morning.
The raids were targeting a drugs line that was believe to be using young teenagers to deliver drugs.
Mobile phones, cannabis and lists of customers were seized during the operation.
Greater Manchester Detective Inspector Patrick Wood said: “Today’s warrants are the culmination of a thorough investigation by our Complex Safeguarding Team, which is dedicated to tackling child criminal exploitation in the Wigan area. "
"Drugs supply has blighted members of this community for some time and results like today go a long way to help combat it.
“The investigation has identified significant members of the county line and we have now arrested these nominals.
"We believe the adult members of the line have conspired with each other to distribute illegal drugs and are exploiting children and recruiting them into drug supply.
“Arresting these individuals allows us to protect and safeguard vulnerable children connected to the suspects and others within the community, resulting in further prevention of exploitation.
"Where we identify any victim of CCE, we are able to utilise our strong working relationships with partners to ensure we enact comprehensive safeguarding measures to support victims and remove them from the risks of this lifestyle."