Seven people have been arrested in morning raids in Macclesfield and Merseyside, targeting county lines.

The dawn raids in Cheshire and Merseyside are part of an operation targeting suspected county lines organised crime.

In the early hours of Thursday November 25, officers from Macclesfield – supported by Merseyside Police – targeted five properties in Merseyside and two in Cheshire.

Both of the two arrests in our country were in our town.

The men, aged between 22 and 54, are currently being questioned in custody on suspicion of conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

The arrests are part of a nine-month investigation by detectives from Macclesfield Local Policing Unit into a county lines organised crime group (OCG) operating from Merseyside into the town.

The Macclesfield addresses officers attended were on Berkshire Close and Buxton Road in Macclesfield.

The out-of-town arrests were at Aquarius Close in Liverpool, Colworth Road in Liverpool, Prenton Dell Road in Prenton, Merseyside and two on Upper Parliament Street in Liverpool.

Detective Sergeant Angela Coppock, from Macclesfield Local Policing Unit, said: "This morning's operation focused on individuals who are suspected of being part of serious and organised crime known to the public as county lines.

"The investigation centred on individuals believed to be facilitating and transporting class A drugs from Merseyside into Macclesfield.

"It's well known that the county lines model can often involve children and vulnerable adults who are exploited by gangs to assist with their drugs supply.

"This type of exploitation leaves people in fear but it can also destroy lives and ruin communities.

"The action we have taken today is part of our dedication and commitment in protecting our community and ensuring Cheshire is and always will be a place of hostility towards people who cross into our borders to commit crime."

County lines is the term used to describe how organised crime gangs export illegal drugs into areas across the UK and use mobile phones to facilitate the onward supply. Criminals often exploit vulnerable adults and children to move and often store drugs and money on their behalf. To learn how to spot the signs of drug activity, including county lines exploitation, taking place in your area please visit this website To report drug activity in your area please report it here Home | Cheshire Constabulary or anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Macclesfield: Have you signed up for our Friday weekly newsletter containing each week's top 10 Macclesfield news stories, and one FREE exclusive article? 900 of you have signed up already. Simply enter your email address into the shaded box below. Free from pop-up ads, or unwanted surveys, Macclesfield Nub News is a quality online newspaper which produces 25-30 stories a week for our town. As well as Twitter, you can also find us on Facebook.