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Wigan drugs crackdown: Two-day police raids lead to seven arrests with one man due in court

By Danielle Wainwright

A suspected drug dealer is due to appear in court this month after a police crackdown on narcotics in Wigan on Wednesday led to the arrest of seven wanted men.

John Crossland, 38, of Linney Square, Scholes, has been charged with the possession of a class A drug and possession of a class B drug and will be sentenced at Wigan Magistrates on August 13.

As part of Operation Spetsai, police executed eight warrants in Scholes on Wednesday and Thursday where seven people were arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs and abstracting electricity – Three were later bailed, two were cautioned and one was released without charge.

As part of the operation, Wigan and Leigh Housing have also managed to secure an injunction against one of those arrested, preventing him from returning to the block of flats in which he lived.

Police Sergeant Adam Wall said: “We are determined to clamp down on the supply of drugs following concerns from the community.

“We work closely with our partners and would warn those responsible for such behaviour we will take every opportunity to remove them from the community.”

Neil Turner, Chair of Wigan and Leigh Housing’s Board, said: “Within 48 hours of the raids our Tenancy ASB Unit had been granted a without notice injunction against one of the arrested tenants.

“We believe this is one of the first of this type of injunction to be used in the country and is brilliant result for all involved. It also sends a strong and powerful message that we will not tolerate crime and anti-social behaviour in our properties.”

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