Ten arrests have been made after a number of properties across the North West were raided this morning, Wednesday.

The raided properties include addresses in Heywood, North Manchester and Middleton as well as across Lancashire and West Yorkshire as part of "Operation Heartwood", which targets the supply of drugs across the North.

Ten men, aged between 34 and 54, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and were taken into custody where they remain this afternoon for questioning, police say.

Detective Inspector Justin Bryant, of Greater Manchester Police's Serious and Organised Crime Group, said: “We’re really pleased with the result from this morning’s warrants executed by our Serious and Organised Crime Group, across three counties.

“Op Heartwood was launched in response to intelligence received about an organised crime group based in Middleton, who we discovered to be running a large-scale drugs conspiracy from several addresses in the area.

"As a result of the investigation, three people have already been arrested and subsequently charged with drug supply offences and we will continue to work until every member of this crime group is brought to justice.

“As well as the arrests made, we also seized approximately £30,000 in cash, as well as high value jewellery and a cash counting machine.

“I hope these arrests will reassure the public that we are committed to making our local communities safer for everyone by disrupting this type of serious criminality. We understand the impact that drug dealing has on our communities, and it won’t be tolerated.

“As always we very much welcome and rely on information from the public to help us to disrupt crime"

Anyone with information can contact 101,or use our Live Chat facility here.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.