Police have charged two men as part of their Encrochat investigation.
The suspects are the latest to be charged with drug offences as part of Operation Venetic - the investigation into the use of encrypted mobile devices to carry out crimes. John Robert Green, 54, of Tree View Court, Maghull, has been charged with with conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine and possession of criminal property.
Also charged with the same offences, possession of a controlled class A drugs and using criminal property, is Owen Sheerin, 35, of Smithy Lane, Scarisbrick. The pair will appeared in court this morning, and will next be in Magistrates court on Monday, October 10.
READ MORE: Live updates as Thomas Cashman accused of murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel appears in court
A spokesperson for the force said: "Two men have been charged with conspiracy to supply heroin and cocaine and possession of criminal property using the Encrochat encrypted messaging platform.
"Owen Sheerin, 35 years, of Smithy Lane in Scarisbrick, Lancashire and John Robert Green, 54 years, of Tree View Court in Maghull have been charged with possession of a controlled class A drugs (heroin and cocaine) and possess/use/acquire criminal property.
"Both men were remanded into custody and appeared at Wirral Magistrates Court this morning, Monday 3 October. They will next appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Monday 10 October.
"The charge forms part of the Merseyside Police response to Operation Venetic: a national investigation into the use of encrypted mobile devices, commonly referred to as Encrochat."
READ NEXT: First pictures of Thomas Cashman after facing Olivia Pratt-Korbel murder charge
Covid symptom 'more common' than loss of smell as new wave hits UK
Children in tears after girl, 12, 'thrown into air' by car as she crossed road
First details of what Liverpool's spectacular Eurovision celebration could look like