Police warn criminals in Northwich and Winsford after raids

Operation Bigwing took place on Thursday October 17 when officers searched four addresses in Winsford and one in Hartford following a five-month organized crime investigation by Northwich Crime Stoppers.

Following the raids, Superintendent Mike Ankers said: “Anti-social behavior linked to the drug supply and the people who benefit from it is a key problem for Mid Cheshire communities.

“This operation should target those people who pray for and benefit from the weak.

“This is an ongoing effort and it will not stop today.

Police seized property including cars, televisions and electric bikes from homes in Winsford and Northwich (Image: Cheshire Police)

“We have seized assets from people who benefited from drug supply, including vehicles.

“We are also carrying out patrols at key locations, including train stations, and will carry out roadside checks.

“This is the result of us listening to the community and discussing action against these criminals.”

“If you have any information about illegal drug activity or other criminal activity in Winsford or Northwich, please report it to us on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and we will do the rest.”

Five people were arrested in raids on three houses in Cotswold Way, Beckenham Grove and Westminster Grove in Winsford, and around £20,000 of cocaine was discovered at one of the addresses.

Officers gather at Cheshire Police headquarters in Winsford (Image: Cheshire Police)

The two men, aged 39 and 35, and three women – two aged 39 and one aged 34 – were all arrested on suspicion of money laundering.

Officers also searched an address in Beaufort Close, Hartford, and another in Winsford on Rilshaw Lane.

During the raid in Hartford, officers arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of being involved in the supply of Class B drugs.

Meanwhile, more than £500,000 cash was seized from the Rilshaw Lane address where a 75-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of concealing criminal property.

The officer seized various items under the Proceeds of Crime Act, including three high-value cars, several large televisions, clothing and other extremely valuable items.