Nine people have been charged with drug offences after raids across Liverpool.
Police have named eight of the suspects, with one 17-year-old suspect being unnamed due to legal reasons. Raids took place yesterday on Wednesday, April 26, as part of an operation to disrupt criminality, mainly in the city centre.
The joint operation was led by Merseyside police, alongside North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU). It hopes to reduce "street-crime" including drug supply, child criminal exploitation, violence, theft, robbery and sexual offences.
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Nine people were charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, they included Joshua Caddick, 20, of Swallow Fields, Walton, Ronni Whitby, 31, of Kremlin Drive, Tuebrook, Armane Tasker, 21, of Arnold Crescent, Toxteth, Dylan Anderson, 20, of Oakfield Drive, Huyton, Dalu Abdul, 29, of Carroll Crescent, Ormskirk, Ellis Hamilton, 19, of St Julien Drive, Everton, Nashon Davis, 21, of Faulkner Terrace, Mya Farley, 21, of no fixed abode and a 17-year-old man.
Caddick was also charged with eight offences of supplying cocaine, one offence of supplying ketamine and one offence of being concerned in the supply of ketamine, cannabis and MDMA. Whitby was additionally charged with two offences of supplying cocaine.
Davis was charged with one offence of offering to supply cocaine. And the 17 year-old was charged with two offences of suppling cocaine.
Liverpool local policing chief inspector Charlotte Irlam said: "Our work to target serious and organised crime remains ongoing on a daily basis and we remain committed to ensuring that Liverpool remains a safe place to live, work and visit. Some people regard taking illicit drugs on a weekend as a bit of fun – but they need to realise they are helping to maintain an industry that requires the use of violence, threats and intimidation to stay in business.
"My message to those involved in drug dealing in the city centre is that we will continue to take action to target you and you will not know where we are and who we are targeting. Liverpool is such a safe city in large part thanks to the support of bar staff and licensed premises owners, who all play a key role in maintaining the reputation of the city.
"The public too have been crucial in supplying us with information about drug dealing, and we continue to ask anyone with information about those involved in drug supply to keep contacting us so we can take appropriate action. When members of the public, businesses and community leaders do express concerns about drug dealing and violence in the city, we take our responsibility to do something about it very seriously.
"Liverpool is one of the safest cities in the UK to enjoy a night out and is awarded Purple Flag status every year. We are determined to help keep it that way."
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