SUSPECTED organised criminals have been arrested in series of dawn raids across Bury this morning.

Police raided 18 homes across Greater Manchester this morning, including one in Walmersley and one in Ramsbottom as part of a police crackdown on drugs and money laundering.

They also raided addresses in Bolton, Wigan, Salford and one in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, 14 people have been arrested and are now in police custody.

The raids, which happened at about 6.15am, were carried out as part of Greater Manchester Police's organised crime crackdown, Project Gulf.

The homes are now being searched by police.

Ch Supt Mary Doyle said: “This co-ordinated strike is the end product of weeks of intelligence gathering by police officers in an effort to smash organised crime across the local and Greater Manchester area.

“Organised criminality causes misery for ordinary people going about their lawful business.

"It causes fear and intimidation, and we are determined to work together to target those who indulge in such criminality.”

Project Gulf was launched three years ago to combat organised crime.

The team investigates every aspect of a criminal’s life including their business interests, benefits, housing and associates.

The team is made up of police, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, the UK Border Agency, the Environment Agency, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, the DVLA, the Department of Work and Pensions, the Security Industry Association, and HM Revenue & Customs.

Ch Supt Doyle said: “Today's action should serve as a reminder that we will continue to use all available resources to target them and put an end to their empires.

"Our local communities have quite rightly had enough, and it is important that they feel able to give us information in confidence that we can use to continue our fight against this scourge.

MORE: “I would urge anyone who believes they have information about those involved in organised crime to contact police.

"As always, the information you supply will be dealt with privately and confidentially.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.