TWO men and a woman from St Helens have been arrested as part of a region-wide operation to target drug dealing gangs.

A total of 16 warrants were carried out at addresses including in St Helens.

Other warrants were executed at: Anfield, Everton, Kirkby, Formby, Ainsdale, Southport, Wirral and Burscough.

The operation aims to crackdown on gangs related to drug crime and burglary.

The following people were arrested and have been taken to police stations across Merseyside for questioning today:

  • A 28-year-old man from St Helens was arrested on suspicion of Possession with intent to supply Class A & B drugs
  • A 30-year-old woman from St Helens was arrested on suspicion of assault police
  • A 25-year-old man from St Helens was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A & B drugs
  • A 39-year-old man from Everton was arrested on suspicion of Possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and possession of criminal property
  • A 29-year-old woman from Kirkby was arrested on suspicion of Possession with intent to supply cannabis
  • A 34-year-old man from Kirkby arrested on suspicion of Commercial Burglaries
  • A 49-year-old man from Southport has been arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and money laundering

The following three people will be voluntarily attending a police station or be issued with Fixed Penalty Notices:

  • A 55-year-old woman from Everton has been dealt with for possession of a Class B drug
  • A 28-year-old man from Formby has been dealt with for possession of a Class B drug
  • A 32-year-old man from Formby has been dealt with for possession of criminal property

Detective Sergeant Mark Saunderson said: “This day of disruption is part of our ongoing commitment to targeting those we suspect of supplying drugs and carrying out other serious and organised crime within our communities. The items seized today have also removed a significant supply chain from the streets of Merseyside.

“Drug dealing causes misery and attracts violent and gun crime to those communities. We won’t tolerate the behaviour of these criminals and neither should you. We will continue to carry out similar action, helped by the information you provide.

“If anyone has any information about those involved in drug supply, organised crime or who knows where weapons are being stored, please contact us so that we can make our streets safer."

Anyone with information on suspected drug dealing or other criminality is asked to contact Merseyside Police social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC.

You can also call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.