Officers arrested 20 people in the raids

Police in Manchester have carried out a series of early morning raids targeting drug dealers.

A total of 32 addresses in Gorton, Longsight, Newton Heath, Denton, Prestwich and Moss Side were raided as part of Operation Hill.

Officers arrested 20 people on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and supplying class A drugs.

Crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis were also seized by Greater Manchester Police.

Around 250 officers were involved in the raids with officers on motorbikes creating roadblocks to allow Tactical Aid Police.

Detective Inspector Colin Webb, who led the operation, said: "I hope the success of today's operation will reassure the public that we are listening to their concerns and are taking action to get drugs off the streets of south Manchester.

Community 'fear'

"The sale of drugs brings other problems to a neighbourhood, such as street crime, and will often intimidate those who live there.

"In many areas the offenders were openly selling drugs from cars and phone boxes, and on street corners, creating fear in the local community."

Operation Hill was launched in January as part of a major crackdown on drug dealers in south Manchester.

It follows on from Operations Avalanche, Leaf and Totem, which were launched in 2002 in Longsight, Gorton and Levenshulme after residents contacted police over an increase in drug dealing.

A number of dealers were arrested in October 2002, and nine people pleaded guilty to supplying Class A drugs and other drug related offences.

Three have already been sentenced and the remaining five were due to be sentenced at Manchester Crown Court this week.