Seven people were arrested and £30,000 was seized as police raided addresses across Merseyside this morning in connection with drugs trafficking.
Officers raided homes in Kirkby and Everton this morning and recovered heroin, cannabis cash, e-bikes and a firearm as part of an investigation into the supply of drugs into Macclesfield in Cheshire. The individuals arrested this morning were all held on suspicion of drugs offences, with one also held on charges of having a firearm without a certificate.
It forms part of a wider program called Project Medusa, which sees Merseyside Police officers work with other forces to tackle county lines drugs rings. Speaking after the raid, Detective Inspector Gary Stratton said: "This morning’s arrests were part of the proactive work we are carrying out under Project Medusa, an operation that works across force boundaries to ensure we take suspected county line offenders off our streets.
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"Organised crime destroys communities and the lives of those taking drugs and those who are often coerced into dealing them on behalf of these gangs. The gangs who operate these lines, use young and vulnerable people to do their dirty work for them and we need to put a stop to this.
“Our work to remove these people from our streets and bring them to justice will continue on a daily basis and I would ask anyone who has information about this kind of activity to come forward so we can find those responsible and bring them to justice.”
A 27-year-old-man from Kirkby was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and possession of a Class B drug (cannabis). A 23-year-old woman from Kirkby was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs and money laundering. A 41-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs and possession of criminal property.
An 18-year-old woman from Liverpool was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs and possession of criminal property. An 18-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A and B drugs and possession of criminal property.
A 64-year-old woman and from Liverpool was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Section 5 firearm without a certificate, possession of a Class A drug (heroin) and possession of criminal property. A 65-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested on suspicion of possession of a Section 5 firearm without a certificate, possession of a Class A drug (heroin) and possession of criminal property.
All seven people are being questioned in custody. Approximately £30,000 in cash, three vehicles, three electric bikes, a Section 5 Firearm and Class A and B drugs (heroin and cannabis) were recovered. If you have concerns about drug dealing in your area you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, call Merseyside Police on 101 or DM @MerpolCC. Always contact 999 if a crime is in progress.
