Eight in custody following drug raids in Congleton

Eight people have been arrested by detectives after early morning drug raids took place on 1 February in Congleton and Merseyside.

The raids were carried out as part of a five-month investigation into criminal groups exploiting vulnerable people to deal drugs in Congleton.

More than 60 officers raided seven homes, five in Merseyside including the Norris Green area and two in Congleton.

Three women from Liverpool and three men from Liverpool, one man from Congleton and a woman from Litherland, aged between 17 and 54, have all been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. They are currently in custody assisting officers with their enquiries.

Detective Chief Inspector Chris Ankers, who is in charge of the operation, said: “Over the past couple of months we have been conducting raids and bringing down those who not only blight the local community with drugs but exploit vulnerable people to commit crime.

“This morning saw officers target Congleton after months of hard work to gather intelligence and evidence in connection with one organised crime group.

“Our work continues to protect local communities and disrupt criminality. These gangs must be under no illusion that officers will catch them and they will not avoid detection.”

Officers rely heavily on information from the community to identify and investigate drug crime. If you have any information, please ring Cheshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

NB: the image is not the actual raid