A firearm was among weapons found during a series of drugs raids across Macclesfield, Manchester and Liverpool.
Police say they also recovered drugs including heroin, cocaine and cannabis, and large quantities of cash after executing warrants at 27 properties across the three counties.
The gun was found at a property in Merseyside.
Police executed warrants at 20 Macclesfield properties at 6.30am on September 16. They were at Brocklehurst Avenue, Brynmore Drive, Sutton Close, Donagh Close, Cedar Grove, Buckfast Close, Wenlock Close, Kendal Road, Sanders Square, Stoneleigh Close, Hurdsfield Road, South Park, The Grange, Pennine Court, Bread Street, Parkgate Road, Robin Hood Avenue, Abbey Road and Greystoke Road.
Police have arrested 20 people on suspicion of supplying Class A drugs and conspiracy to supply Class A drugs as part of Operation Impact, which targets organised criminals and drugs supply.
More than 200 police officers met at a secret location in Macclesfield at 5.30am and had completed the raids by 7.30am in what was described as one of the largest operations undertaken by the force.
The operation builds on previous efforts to crackdown on the illegal drugs trade in the town including Operation Dizi in 2013, Operation Dresden in 2014 and Operation Toadstool, this year.
Chief Superintendent Andy Southcott said the operation had ‘dismantled’ an organised network of drug dealers.
He said: “We are in challenging economic times and drug dealers seem to be labouring under the misapprehension that they can live the life of luxury as a result of drug dealing. We will catch you, you will go to prison and we will seize your cash and the assets you gain on the back of criminality.
Chf Sup Southcott praised the community for its help in bringing down the network and urged people to continue to help tackle drug dealers in the town.
He said: “We are only able to put together such a large scale operation because of information and engagement in the community and that gives us every piece of the jigsaw. I would like to appeal to residents to continue to have confidence in us to report things like suspicious cars or neighbours living beyond their means directly to police, through PCSOs walking by on their street, or through Neighbourhood Watch or PubWatch schemes.”
