28 PEOPLE have been arrested as part of a major investigation into the supply of cocaine and heroin across West Lancashire.
The 24 men and four women were arrested during a week of raids across Skelmersdale and Liverpool as part of Operation Edgar, part of the wider Operation Nemesis.
On Wednesday 8 July 2015, 12 people were arrested on suspicion of various drugs offences, eight people were charged, three have been released on bail pending further enquiries and one person was released no further action.
Six people were arrested during a second day of raids on Thursday 9 July; five were charged and one received a caution.
One man was arrested and charged on Monday 13 July while a further nine men were arrested on the final day of raids this morning (Wednesday 15 July) on suspicion of various drugs offences and are currently in custody.
Detective Inspector Nick Hills, who is leading the investigation, said: “This operation is part of our on-going commitment to tackling and dismantling groups and gangs who cause serious anti-social behaviour and violence.
“But we can’t do this alone – we’ve acted on information which has been passed to us by our local communities and we would encourage people to continue to come forward with information.
“Operation Nemesis has been set up to deal with Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) causing serious anti-social behaviour and disruption to local neighbourhoods.
“We take this type of criminality extremely seriously and would urge decent members of the public to report any suspicions to us in the safe knowledge that we will deal with these individuals.”
Details of arrests and charges
Wednesday 8 July activity
Gary Martin, 53 (8/02/62), of Eversley, Skelmersdale has been charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin – was due to appear at Preston Magistrates Court on 9 July 2015.
Veronica Walsh, 41 (11/12/73), of Eversley, Skelmersdale has been charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin – was due to appear at Preston Magistrates Court on 9 July 2015.
Gareth Dunn, 29 (14/09/85), of Aspes Road, Liverpool has been charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin – was due to appear at Preston Magistrates Court on 9 July 2015.
Aaron Green, 24 (03/07/91), of Fairstead, Skelmersdale, has been charged with conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and conspiracy to supply heroin – was due to appear at Preston Magistrates Court on 9 July 2015.
George Huyton, 43 (02/08/71), of no fixed address has been charged with supplying crack cocaine and four counts of supplying heroin – was due to appear at Preston Magistrates Court on 8 July 2015.
Robert McBrinn, 62 (12/06/53), of Beechtrees, Skelmersdale, has been charged with three counts of offering to supply cocaine and three counts of supplying cocaine – was due to appear at Preston Magistrates Court on 9 July 2015.
Barry Jenkins, 40 (22/08/74), of Evington, Skelmersdale has been charged with breach of a restraining order – was due to appear at Chorley Magistrates Court on 8 July 2015.
A 16 year old boy from Skelmersdale has been charged with supplying heroin and possessing cannabis – was due to appear at Preston Magistrates Court on 9 July 2015.
A 50 year old man from Skelmersdale who was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of heroin has been bailed pending further enquiries. Bail date 15/08/15
A 46 year old woman from Skelmersdale who was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of heroin has been bailed pending further enquiries. Bail date 03/08/15
A 24 year old man from Kirby, Liverpool who was arrested on suspicion of possessing heroin with intent to supply has been bailed pending further enquiries. Bail date 26/08/15
A 24 year old man from Liverpool who was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply a controlled drug was released no further action.
Thursday 9 July activity
Steven Miller, 37 (20/10/77), of Evington, Skelmersdale has been charged with possessing cocaine and two counts of possessing cocaine. He was bailed to appear at Ormskirk Magistrates Court on 18 August 2015.
Robert Halliwell, 32 (01/07/83), of Manor Road, Burscough, Ormskirk has been charged with supplying cocaine and supplying heroin – was due to appear at Preston Magistrates Court on 9 July 2015.
Darren Weatherill, 48 (16/08/66), of Prescot Road, Ormskirk has been charged with possessing crack cocaine with intent to supply, two counts of supplying heroin, possessing heroin with intent to supply and two counts of supplying heroin – was due to appear at Preston Magistrates Court on 10 July 2015.
Alan Moore, 40 (16/05/75) of Blakehall, Skelmersdale has been charged with possessing cocaine and possessing heroin – was due to appear at Preston Magistrates Court on 10 July 2015.
Gillian Bernard, 47 (24/07/67), of Aspen way, Skelmersdale has been charged with possessing heroin with intent to supply – was due to appear at Preston Magistrates Court on 10 July 2015.
A 39 year old woman from Skelmersdale received an adult caution for possession of heroin.
Monday 13 July activity
Liam Watson, 27 (08/07/88), of Litherland Park, Liverpool has been charged with supplying heroin – was due to appear at Ormskirk Magistrates Court on 14 July 2015.
Wednesday 15 July activity
A 44 year old man from Skelmersdale has been arrested on suspicion of supplying heroin and is currently in custody.
A 40 year old man from Skelmersdale has been arrested on suspicion of supplying heroin and supplying cannabis and is currently in custody.
A 21 year old man from Skelmersdale who was wanted on warrant has been arrested and is currently in custody.
A 38 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of heroin and is currently in custody.
A 23 year old man from Liverpool has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and is currently in custody.
A 44 year old man from Skelmersdale has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and is currently in custody.
A 45 year old man from Skelmersdale has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of heroin and is currently in custody.
A 53 year old man from Skelmersdale has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and is currently in custody.
A 39 year old man from Liverpool has been arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of cocaine and is currently in custody.
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