A POLICE operation to crackdown on gun and drug crime resulted in nine people being arrested during dawn raids by police at 15 addresses.
Operation Decade saw police execute search warrants this morning in St Helens, Knowsley village, Kirkby and Fazakerley.
Eight men and one woman have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.
A substantial amount of cash has been recovered from an address ion St Helens, police added.
Searches are ongoing at the properties 13 of which are residential.
The raids are the culmination of a 12-month investigation by detectives from the specialist Matrix team.
It follows complaints by residents about serious organised crime.
Superintendent Paul White, said: "The arrests made today are the result of an extensive investigation by detectives.
“Acting on information we carefully planned this initiative over 12 months and today's operation is just one example of the Force's commitment - with the support of the public and partner agencies - to tackle drug related crime and organised crime groups working in Merseyside.
"These arrests send out a clear message to those involved in serious and organised crime. Drug trafficking and the use of firearms blights our communities and puts ordinary law abiding people at risk.
"I can reassure the public that we will keep up the pressure on these organised crime groups and will pursue them relentlessly and put them before the courts to make our streets safer.”
Anyone with information about serious organised crime, involving drugs and guns, in their community can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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