Update: #OperationImpACT 34 arrested so in Chester for organised crime and illegal drugs offences

Dawn raids in and around Chester this morning (9th July) has seen a total of 34 people arrested as part of a high-profile operation.

Around 250 officers were involved in Operation ImpACT – a series of dawn raids targeting organised crime and illegal drugs.

The operation is one of the largest ever undertaken by Cheshire Police Force.

The 34 people have now been arrested on suspicion of drug offences – they are currently helping police with their enquires.

Warrants were executed at a number of properties in Blacon, Hoole and The Lache.

Specialist officers were used to gain entry to the properties and officers, who are experts in search techniques, are carrying out detailed searches of all the addresses.

Superintendent Paul Williams, Crime Manager for the Western Area, said:

The strike phase this morning is the culmination of many months of work focusing on a number of individuals suspected of being involved in illegal drugs. Over that period intelligence and evidence has been gathered and this has culminated today in these high-profile raids.Operation ImpACT reinforces the commitment that the police and partner agencies have in targeting those people that undermine our communities and bring misery to residents through their involvement in organised crime and illegal drugs.

This sort of behaviour can have a major impact on local communities. It is an issue the force takes extremely seriously and we devote all the resources we can to tracing those responsible and disrupting their behaviour.

The majority of the warrants have been carried out as a result of information that has been passed on by the local community.

Following the execution of the warrants local neighbourhood officers are carrying out high-visibility patrols to offer reassurance to local residents.

Officers will be handing out leaflets to homes in the areas affected and talking to members of the local community about the action that has been taken.