HEROIN was seized at a home in Alton Street which was raided by police during a week-long operation to tackle county lines drug dealers.

Officers found the drugs stash and arrested three people on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class A drug.

A 47-year-old from Crewe and two women, a 36-year-old from Crewe and a 35-year-old from Nantwich, have since been released under investigation pending further enquires.

Operation Expel, which ran for five days up to February 12 last week, saw police across Cheshire target county lines drugs dealers who extend their operations out of north west cities into neighbouring counties, often exploiting vulnerable people as part of their dealership chain.

The bulk of the force's activities took place in Runcorn and Widnes, but also led to the arrest in Hanley of a 17-year-old from Shelton in Stoke-on-Trent in connection with drug dealing in Crewe.

The teenager was charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin, possession of criminal property and possession of cannabis.

Heroin and crack cocaine were also seized when an address in Brookvale in Runcorn was raided, while a three-month closure order was imposed on a house in Widnes, partly because of reports of drug dealing and violence.

Det. Insp Eleanor Atkinson, who oversaw the operation, said: "County lines drug dealing involves organised crime groups based in major cities or urban areas extending their criminal enterprises into more rural locations.

"They often recruit and coerce children and vulnerable adults to sell illegal drugs for them.

"The actions of these organised crime groups and the drugs that they supply causes untold damage to the direct victims, as well as to the wider communities.

"The week of action saw numerous warrants executed, class A drugs seized, several people arrested and vulnerable children and adults safeguarded.

"The warrants we executed, the illegal drugs we seized and the arrests we made will have significantly disrupted criminal activity."

A large part of the week of action focused on identifying and safeguarding vulnerable children and adults who are controlled, coerced and manipulated into dealing drugs on behalf of others.

Cheshire Police officers visited people who have previously had their homes taken over by drug dealers through the use of violence and threats, an activity known as cuckooing, to check on their welfare.

The force worked with partner agencies and distributed leaflets and letters about county lines drug dealing, including to schools and taxi companies.

Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane said: "The week of action is a great example of how the police and partner agencies can work together to tackle serious and organised crime, which has no place in our communities, and identify and safeguard vulnerable children and adults to stop them from being exploited."

Anyone with information regarding drug dealing in the community can call 101 or or report it via

Alternatively, contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.