NINETEEN people have been charged with a series of drug offences following dawn raids across Warrington yesterday, Wednesday.

The 18 men and one woman are all facing charges relating to the supply of class A and B drugs.

The suspects appeared at Chester Magistrates' Court this morning, Thursday.

They will next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on February 9.

More than 200 officers were involved in raids across Warrington as well as one in Winsford, one in Merseyside and one in North Wales.

Following the execution of the warrants local police community support officers have carried out high-visibility patrols to offer reassurance to local residents.

Nigel Gerke, 49, of Monks Place, off Battersby Lane, has been chared with Conspiracy to supply class A and Conspiracy to supply class B drugs.

Liam King, 25, of Digmore Close, Kirkby has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A

Christopher Larosa, 29, of Dover Road, Latchford, has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A

Sean Ryan, 32, of Aquarium Street, Rhyl, has been charged with conspiracy to supply firearms, contrary to sec 5 conspiracy to transfer/supply ammunition and production of Class B drugs

Matthew Spencer, 39, of  Peasley Close, Padgate, has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A.

Gary White, 30, of Stanbridge Close, Great Sankey, has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A

Steve Wood, 31, of Firtree Close, Winsford, has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A

Thomas Hill, 29, of Pinewood Avenue, Padgate, has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A

Dylan McGann, 22, of Gorsey Lane, has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A and conspiracy to produce class B

Scott Quinn, 21, of Ireland Street, Orford, has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A

Jason Eastens, 34, of Hall Road, Woolston, has been charged with conspiracy to supply firearms, contrary to sec 5, conspiracy to transfer/supply ammunition, offering to supply Class A and offering to supply Class B

Leah Klein, 36, of Rylands Drive, has been charged with conspiracy to supply firearms, contrary to sec 5 and conspiracy to transfer/supply ammunition

Chris Potter, 30, of Southworth Avenue, Bewsey has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A and cultivation of Class B

Kurt Brockley, 25, of Alder Lane, Orford, has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A

Josh Mercer, 22, of Sandy Lane West, Orford, has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A

Anthony Smith, 28, of Richmond Avenue, Latchford, has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A

Robert Bibby, 28, of HMP Haverigg, has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A and production of class B

Chris Houghton, 39, of HMP Altcourse, has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A, conspiracy to supply firearms, contrary to sec 5 and conspiracy to transfer/supply ammunition