Six arrested in Costa del Sol in connection with suspected gangland shootings in Salford
FIVE men and a woman have been arrested in Costa del Sol in connection with a surge in tit-for-tat gangland shootings in Salford.
The dawn raid in Marbella arrested the six suspected gangland figures
The dawn raid in Marbella arrested the six suspected gangland figures in what detectives described as a significant blow against organised crime groups in the city.
A police source said one of those arrested was a “particularly high-profile individual” linked to a number of alleged violent offences.
The six were held on a range of offences including suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a firearm, and membership of an organised crime group as well as dealing in Class A drugs.
The operation was part of an investigation into a feud between rival gangs in Salford and Swinton, which saw Paul Massey, nicknamed the city’s so-called 'Mr Big', murdered in July last year.
Scene in Salford where a Woman and her young son were shot
The rivalry also saw seven-year-old Christian Hickey and his mother Jayne shot in their legs on their doorstep last October.
Police feared the dispute was about to escalate and spill over onto the streets of the Spanish coastal retreat.
Paul Massey, nicknamed the city’s so-called 'Mr Big', murdered in July last year
Officials feared several members of one of the crime gangs had fled to Spain and were followed by others intent on continuing the feud abroad.
The violent dispute began in early 2015 when a gang splintered into different factions.
The six were held on a range of offences including suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder
The Spanish police alongside Greater Manchester Police and the National Crime Agency recovered a loaded handgun, ammunition and four knives from the two raided properties this week.
Assistant Chief Constable Rebekah Sutcliffe, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "These arrests are a significant result for Greater Manchester Police in our fight against organised crime in Salford.
"This sends out a clear message to all those involved in organised crime, that we will never give up and we will find you even if you have left the country.
"We would like to thank the Spanish National Police and the National Crime Agency, once again they have shown their determination to relentlessly pursue criminals and fugitives who seek to use Spain as a base for their criminal activities.
"Our commitment to tackling serious organised crime in Salford will continue and we will use all of the powers and information available to us and our partners to target this criminality round-the-clock and put a stop to it for good."
Police feared the dispute was about to escalate and spill over onto the streets of Spain
Dave Allen, head of the International Crime Bureau at the National Crime Agency, said: "Law enforcement does its best work and has the most impact when it pools resources and works collaboratively.
"This is an excellent result, which shows the determination and professionalism of the Spanish National Police, the National Crime Agency and UK police forces, in targeting organised crime groups and fugitives who seek to use Spain as a base for their criminal activities."
A GMP spokesperson added: “On Tuesday, February 16, three men from Salford, aged, 28, 25 and 20 were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a firearm and membership of an organised crime group.
“The 20 year old man was also wanted on a European Arrest Warrant by Greater Manchester Police for possession of class A drugs and counterfeit currency.
“A 41-year-old man from Trafford and a 31-year-old woman from Dublin, Ireland were also arrested on suspicion of membership of an organised crime group.
“On Wednesday, February 3, a 23-year-old man from Salford was arrested in Marbella on a European Arrest Warrant on suspicion of possession of class A drugs with intent to supply."