Cocaine, heroin and zombie knives seized in raids

Cocaine, heroin and zombie knives have been seized in dawn raids targeting gang violence in part of Manchester.

Nine people were arrested for various offences at seven addresses in Gorton and Openshaw, in the east of the city, Greater Manchester Police said.

Inspector Dan Pickavance said the crackdown was in response to the shooting of a 19-year-old man in Gorton in October, who was left with life-changing injures.

The raids were "our answer to the violence", he said, adding "we can't be having this on our streets anymore".

Arrests had been made for offences including assault and possession of drugs with intent to supply, the force said.

Crack cocaine and heroin were seized along with the zombie knives and some cannabis.

Insp Pickavance said the raids would have a "massive impact on the distribution of drugs in east Manchester".

Councillor Julie Read, of the Gorton and Abbey Hey ward, said the area had been blighted by criminals who deal drugs "in open daylight with no embarrassment".

The crackdown had been planned after months of intelligence-gathering to ensure people in the area "feel safe being out and about", she said.

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