A human trafficking and drug smuggler suspect has been named after an incident at Manchester Airport.
Michael Whitty, 24, of Finch Lane, Knotty Ash, was arrested at the airport at around 9.20am on Friday, May 12 and later charged with being knowingly concerned in evading the prohibition of exportation of a controlled class A drug from the UK. He was also charged with human trafficking.
He was remanded into custody and is due to appear at Wirral Magistrate’s Court today, Monday, May 15. The arrest forms part of the ongoing operation Athena, which is a proactive policing operation aiming to disrupt organised crime across Knowsley, police said.
READ MORE: Prison officer caught on CCTV carrying 'bulging holdall' full of drugs into cells
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "It is also thanks to EVOLVE Liverpool-Knowsley, which is a partnership-led initiative based on a Home Office strategy to help areas most affected by serious and organised crime."
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