A MAN arrested in St Helens by police investigating a suspected criminal gang allegedly involved in trafficking and producing millions of pounds worth of drugs has been bailed.

Eight arrests were made on Wednesday, March 10 as part of a National Crime Agency probe into the alleged trafficking of heroin and production of amphetamine worth millions of pounds.

The investigation is linked to Operation Venetic.

Suspects included a 46-year-old man who was arrested on Freckleton Road, West Park.

All suspects have been bailed, the NCA confirmed.

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National Crime Agency officers had arrested six suspects at addresses across Merseyside, supported by Merseyside Police, a seventh in Glasgow assisted by Police Scotland and the eighth was produced from prison.

Analysis of messages acquired as part of Operation Venetic – an investigation into the encrypted messaging platform EncroChat – supported the investigation.

Officers are investigating an alleged plan to produce large quantities of amphetamine at a location in Scotland, as well as trafficking heroin from Scotland to Merseyside.

On December 4, 2020, as part of the same investigation, more than 620kg of APAA - a substance used in the manufacture of amphetamine - was seized and two men arrested after arriving on a flight from Turkey.

Both were later released under investigation.

Ian McConnell, NCA Operations Manager, said: “Producing amphetamine on an industrial scale would have devastating consequences for the community - drug trafficking thrives on inciting violence, spreading fear and exploiting vulnerable children and adults for criminal gain."

He said police "will continue to target those at the top of the drug market chain, to make their businesses unviable and keep people safe.”

Those arrested were:

  • Man aged 46 arrested on Freckleton Road, West Park, St Helens on suspicion of conspiracy to produce a Class B drug (Amphetamine) and conspiracy to supply a Class A drug (heroin)
  • Man aged 51 arrested on Jacqueline Drive, Liverpool, on suspicion of conspiracy to supply a Class A drug (heroin)
  • Man aged 66 arrested on Longreach Road, Liverpool, on suspicion of conspiracy to produce a Class B drug (Amphetamine) and conspiracy to supply a Class A drug (heroin)
  • Man aged 60 arrested on Sandringham Road, Tuebrook, Merseyside on suspicion of conspiracy to produce a Class B drug (Amphetamine)
  • Man aged 34 arrested at York Road, Birkdale on suspicion of conspiracy to produce a Class B drug (Amphetamine)
  • Man aged 46 arrested on Devon Way, Liverpool, L36, on suspicion of conspiracy to supply a Class A drug (heroin)
  • Man aged 47 arrested on Garshake Terrace, Dumbarton, Scotland on suspicion of conspiracy to supply a Class A drug (heroin)
  • Man aged 46 produced from prison and arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to produce a Class B drug (Amphetamine)
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