A MAN and a woman from Whiston are among 17 people who were arrested during a major operation by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit today.

Eleven men and six women are being held on suspicion of drugs, firearms and money laundering offences today following a series of raids.

Suspected offences include drug dealing, firearms and money laundering.

Nineteen search warrants were executed across Formby, Southport, Kirkby, Birkenhead, Walton, Banks, Tarleton, Ormskirk, Wigan, Widnes and Salford following a lengthy investigation into serious and organised crime.

During the searches officers have seized a quantity of what it believed to be Class A drugs together with a drugs press and a number of rounds of ammunition.

A large quantity of cash and jewellery, a number of high value vehicles and computer equipment were also recovered.

During a raid in Salford officers discovered a number of rounds of ammunition and a smoke cannister that required the Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD) being called to make it safe.

Among those arrested is a 37-year-old man from Whiston who is being held on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

A 36-year-old woman from Whiston has been arrested on suspicion of possession of criminal property.

Others arrested include:

  • A 44-year-old man from Banks has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to possess firearms, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and conspiracy to conceal criminal property
  • A 35-year-old woman from Banks has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to conceal criminal property
  • A 35-year-old man from Banks has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and cultivation of Cannabis
  • A 34-year-old man from Tarleton has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to possess firearms, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and for conspiracy to conceal criminal property
  • A 34-year-old woman from Tarleton has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to conceal criminal property
  • A 33-year-old man from Ormskirk has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to conceal criminal property
  • A 27-year-old woman from Ormskirk has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to conceal criminal property
  • A 33-year-old man from Formby has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs
  • A 36-year-old man from Southport has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and conspiracy to possess firearms
  • A 32-year-old man from Salford has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs
  • A 60-year-old man from Widnes has been arrested on suspicion of cultivation of Cannabis and conspiracy to conceal criminal property
  • A 49-year-old man from Widnes has been arrested on suspicion of cultivation of Cannabis
  • A 47-year-old woman from Widnes has been arrested on suspicion of cultivation of Cannabis
  • A 41-year-old woman from Kirkby has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to conceal criminal property
  • A 61-year-old man from Wigan has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to conceal criminal property