Suspect from St Helens charged after dawn drugs raids

Cheshire Police executed search warrants at properties across Warrington, Widnes, St Helens and Liverpool.

A series of dawn raids took place, including one in Breccia Gardens, Parr.

This followed an 18-month investigation into an organised crime group that has allegedly been supplying class A and B drugs to other gangs Warrington.

A bounty of weapons, including shotguns and a crossbow, were seized – as were designer items, jewellery and a car.

Four men and three women have now been charged with a range of offences in connection with the raids.

• Robbie Broughton, aged 38, of Breccia Gardens, Parr, St Helens has been charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply cannabis. He has been remanded in custody.
• John Tobin, aged 40, has been charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply cannabis. He has been remanded in custody
• Alan Tobin, aged 51, of Regency Park in Widnes has been charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply cannabis. He has been remanded in custody.
• Simon Leech, aged 29 of Brindley Avenue in Warrington has been charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and remanded in custody.
• Kathryn Walker, aged 36, of Chamomile Close in Liverpool has been charged with two counts relating to criminal property. She has been bailed with conditions.
• Helen Hartley, aged 34, of Regency Park in Widnes has been charged with two counts of possessing criminal property. She has been bailed with conditions.
• Ann Hartley, aged 62, of Regency Park in Widnes, has been charged with possessing criminal property and has been bailed with conditions.

All seven defendants appeared at Chester Magistrates' Court this morning in order to face these charges and will now be brought before Liverpool Crown Court next month.

Detective Chief Inspector Giles Pierce, from the force’s serious and organised crime unit, earlier said: “This conspiracy came to our attention following previous investigations into two organised crime gangs in Warrington, codenamed Operation Samurai and Operation Dreadnought.

“Those arrested are suspected of being part of a well-established organised crime group who we believe were operating at a high level across the north west.

“It is a massively significant result in our determination to disrupt organised crime gangs operating from Warrington and supplying these drugs further afield.”

“If a criminal is suspected of operating a drugs enterprise they are likely to gain substantial profit and might display their riches in public.

“It is important people in the community learn to recognise those who could be living above their means and showing an increase in wealth and report it to police.”

Cheshire police and crime commissioner David Keane added: “Drugs have a huge impact on our community and blight our neighbourhoods, causing misery to victims.

“This operation is another example of the serious and organised crime unit once again pursuing gangs believed to be involved in the supply of drugs.

“I remain proud of their hard work and determination in disrupting this crime and their continued efforts to protect our communities.”