Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Nick Tyrrell & Paul Britton

Mum who ran kids' play centre admits drugs conspiracy after Manchester Airport arrest


A businesswoman has pleaded guilty to drug offences after being arrested at Manchester Airport. Faye Dunn was arrested by police at the airport earlier this year as part of Operation Venetic, the ongoing investigation into the Encrochat messaging network.

Dunn, 38, is the former director of a number of Merseyside businesses, including a restaurant and a popular children's play centre.

The mum-of-two, who is well known in the Huyton area of Liverpool, was charged last month with conspiracy to supply cannabis between December 2019 and June 2020, as well as two money laundering charges, reports The Echo.

She pleaded guilty today - Tuesday - to the conspiracy charge as well as one count of concealing criminal property. Another charge of acquiring criminal property was not proceeded with by prosecutors.

In a statement issued after her arrest, Merseyside Police confirmed the charges related to the police investigation into EncroChat phones, Operation Venetic.

DON'T MISS:

Man charged with murder of seven-week-old baby boy who tragically died at Manchester Children's Hospital

Man from Manchester named as the victim of a fatal stabbing in Blackpool

Teacher sobs as she is cleared of sex crimes against 'obsessed' pupil

That investigation aims to bring dealers who used the heavily encrypted messaging service to justice. Once thought to be impenetrable, the system was hacked in 2020, with many criminals put behind bars since.

A spokesperson said at the time: "A woman from Huyton has been charged with drug offences as part of Operation Venetic. On Monday 13 June officers arrested a woman at Manchester Airport on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs.

"Faye Dunn, 38 years of Kingsway Parade, Kingsway has been charged with conspiracy to supply a Class B drug and money laundering on Tuesday 14 June."

Dunn, of Walpole Avenue, Whiston, will be sentenced in September.

Read more of the top stories from across Greater Manchester here

READ NEXT:

READ MORE:    Murdered schoolgirl's mum gives powerful message to other parents after killer's sentencing
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.