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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Abigail Nicholson

Suspected Encrochat dealer caught at Manchester Airport after Tenerife flight

A wanted man was caught by police at Manchester Airport after getting off a flight from Tenerife.

Merseyside Police rushed to Manchester Airport at around 8.40pm on Tuesday, August 10 before stopping and arresting a 36-year-old man from Birkenhead. The man, who Merseyside Police confirmed was wanted, was arrested on suspicion of conspiring to supply class A & B drugs, and attempting to acquire a firearm as he arrived at the airport on a flight from Tenerife.

He was taken to a police station in Merseyside where he remains in custody.

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Officers raided a home in Birkenhead and found three swords, a knuckle duster and suspected cannabis, which were all seized at the address. The arrest was made as part of Operation Aquarium which forms another part of the Merseyside Police response to Operation Venetic: a national investigation into the use of encrypted mobile devices, commonly referred to as Encrochat.

Detective Sergeant James Boardman said: “I hope this arrest shows that there is no hiding place for anyone who may be involved in serious and organised criminality. Thanks to the work of our officers several dangerous weapons and drugs have been removed from our streets that could have caused serious harm to families and residents in our community.

“These actions are about stopping the supply of illegal drugs and the storage of dangerous weapons that could harm others therefore I would urge anyone who may have information about those involved to contact police.”

If you have any information on the possession of, storage or use of drugs and weapons in your community, contact @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’.

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