Six people arrested during raids in Chester and Merseyside

Six people have been arrested during early morning raids in Chester, Merseyside and Birmingham as part of an operation targeting serious and organised crime.

Officers from Chester Local Policing Unit (LPU) – supported by Merseyside Police – targeted six properties as dawn broke on Thursday 10 March.

Two of the addresses were in Chester, three were in Merseyside and one in Birmingham.

A total of four men and two women aged between 26 and 48 are currently in custody being questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

A quantity of what is believed to be class A drugs were recovered during the raids.

The arrests are part of a twelve-month investigation into a suspected county lines organised crime group (OCG) operating from Merseyside and travelling into Chester to supply class A drugs.

People from Chester were also alleged to have been involved in the supply of drugs as part of the OCG.

County lines is the term used to describe how organised crime gangs export illegal drugs into areas across the United Kingdom and use mobile phones to facilitate the onward supply.

Criminals are known to exploit vulnerable adults and children to move – and often store – drugs and money on their behalf.

Detective Sergeant Stuart Needham, of Chester’s proactive team who led the investigation, said: “Today’s action follows a lengthy operation centred on an organised crime group who are believed to be involved in a county lines conspiracy.

“This OCG is suspected of travelling from Merseyside to supply crack cocaine and heroin to vulnerable drug users in Chester.

“County lines involves drug dealers preying on vulnerable people and children. It can leave people in fear and can destroy lives while destroying surrounding communities.

“The activity today shows that we will act on any information that is reported to police and will continue our efforts in pursuing individuals that we believe to be involved in illegal drug activity in our areas.

“We will not stop in the fight against county lines activity in Chester and are committed to making our city as hostile as possible for these individuals.

“I would urge anyone who thinks drug criminality is happening in their area to please get in touch with us and we will do the rest.”

To learn how to spot the signs of drug activity, including county lines criminal exploitation, taking place in your area please visit our website:

https://www.cheshire.police.uk/police-forces/cheshire-constabulary/areas/cheshire/campaigns/campaigns/2019/impact/

To report serious and organised anonymously please call 0800 555 111 or visit the Crimestoppers website:

https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously

To find out more about the #Look Closer campaign visit:

#LookCloser To Spot Exploitation | The Children's Society (childrenssociety.org.uk)

Information can also be provided to Cheshire Police via:

https://www.cheshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/soh/seen-or-heard/ or by calling 101.

Addresses targeted as part of the strike:

• Sycamore Drive, Lache
• Clover Lane, Lache
• Polperro Close, Croxteth
• Unicorn Road, Croxteth
• Angelica Drive, Norris Green
• Bentley Grove, Birmingham