Police have arrested 27 people as part of a week of targeted action to tackle county lines drug-dealing and child criminal exploitation in East Lancashire.

Houses were raided in Accrington, Oswaldtwistle, Great Harwood and Haslingden and recovered a significant amount of cannabis, as well as heroin, crack cocaine, mobile phones and paraphernalia associated with drug-dealing.

Lancashire Telegraph:

During the week-long operation, which started on Monday and concluded on Friday, 24 men and three women were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences related to drug-dealing.

READ: Five more charged in county lines Accrington drug dealing investigation

DS Stu Peall, of the East Lancashire Exploitation Team, said: “This week of targeted strike action has been focused on disrupting organised criminal activity and those who bring misery to the most vulnerable members of our communities.

"This work was carried out on the back of concerns raised in the community and information about the possible exploitation of children.

“That work will continue and I would encourage anybody with information about criminal activity in their area to contact police in the full knowledge that Lancashire Constabulary will take their concerns seriously and act with professionalism.

Lancashire Telegraph:

“Lancashire Constabulary takes county lines drug-dealing extremely seriously and where there is evidence of children being exploited into committing criminal acts then we will look to prosecute the offenders and protect those being exploited.

“County Lines will not succeed in Lancashire and those responsible for exploiting our vulnerable children should be constantly looking over their shoulder because we will find you, no matter where you hide and put you before the courts.”

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, 20 people have now been charged and appeared before Blackburn magistrates.

Patrick Gavin, 27, of Charter Street, Accrington, has been charged with conspiring to supply heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis and dangerous driving.

Aqeeb Ali, 26, of Rock Street, Haslingden, John Lomax, 45, of Victoria Street, Accrington; and Scott Melia, 38, of Tanpits Road, Accrington, have each been charged with conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Brandon Wilson, 18, of Higher Antley Street, Accrington; Callum Harris, 20, of Hope Street, Great Harwood; and Brook Seary, 18, of Haslingden Old Road, Oswaldtwistle, have each been charged with conspiring to supply heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis.

Sikander Hussain, 33, of Blackburn Road, Accrington; Philip Smalley, 29, of Monarch Street, Oswaldtwistle; Joseph Oakes and Melissa Riley – both 19 and of Union Road, Oswaldtwistle – and Leroy Wright, 19, and Tyler Bramche, 25 – both of Lion Street, Accrington – have all been charged with conspiring to supply cannabis.

READ: Man and three teenagers charged with 'county lines' drug dealing

Ishan Nailen, 26, of Park Road, Accrington has been charged with conspiring to supply cannabis, possession with intent to supply cocaine and possession of criminal property.

A 16-year-old boy from Oswaldtwistle and a 16-year-old boy from Accrington have both been charged with conspiring to supply heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis.

A 17-year-old girl from Accrington; a 17-year-old boy from Accrington and a 17-year-old boy from Oswaldtwistle have each been charged with conspiring to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

A 16-year-old boy from Accrington has been charged with conspiring to supply cannabis.

A 25-year-old man arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a Class A drug; a 16-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of conspiring to supply heroin, crack cocaine and cannabis; and a 14-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy – both arrested on suspicion of conspiring to supply cannabis – all remain in custody.

An 18-year-old man, a 19-year-old man and a 30-year-old man arrested as part of the operation, named Operation Thunder, have been released under investigation.

Anyone with concerns about criminal activity in their area should call 101, report it online at orlo.uk/c0keJ or call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.