Police seized cash, firearms, luxury vehicles, luxury watches and a number of animals in a series of raids across the North West.

Officers from GMP's Economic Crime Unit, as well as partners from Cheshire Police, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and the RSPCA arrived at four addresses in Lymm, Cheshire, and Partington, Trafford, in the early hours of the morning.

They seized £200,000 in cash, firearms, two luxury vehicles, 10 luxury watches and a number of animals including eight puppies.

They arrested a teenager and a man in his 40s, a father and son, and a woman in her 60s on suspicion of money laundering and possession of firearms. All of them were taken into custody to be interviewed.

Detective Inspector James Coles, of GMP's Economic Crime Unit, said: "This partnership work is invaluable to keeping the people of Greater Manchester safe, when we work together with other forces and other agencies, we are coming closer to removing this type of crime from our streets. This is proactive policing work conducted by officers who have managed to remove suspected counterfeit cash from our streets.

"We recently launched Operation Notes, GMP's response to tackling counterfeit currency, and although this may look like it is a victimless crime on the surface, counterfeit currency production and distribution is a serious offence and can promote organised violence. By seizing this cash today, officers have been able to put a dent in organised criminal networks to prevent the funds assisting criminality within the community." 

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.