EIGHT people have been charged with drug dealing offences after a series of police raids across Warrington.

Officers executed search warrants at a total of nine homes yesterday morning, Wednesday, following a year-long undercover investigation by Cheshire Police’s serious and organised crime unit – codenamed Operation Tamer.

A quantity of drugs, three imitation firearms and a blank firearm were seized by police.

Five men and three women aged between 21 and 58 have now been charged with conspiracy to supply class A and class B drugs in connection with the raids.

The suspects, all of whom were charged with conspiracy to supply class cocaine unless otherwise stated, are:

  • Lewis Turner, aged 24, of Howson Road in Orford – charged with two counts of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and remanded into custody
  • John Large, aged 32, of Fairbrother Crescent in Orford – remanded into custody
  • Anthony Morgan, aged 26, of Densham Avenue in Longford – remanded into custody
  • Maria Beeby, aged 21, of Densham Avenue in Longford – released on bail
  • Katie Newton, aged 31, of Poole Avenue in Longford – released on bail
  • Paul Ratcliffe, aged 36, of Small Avenue in Orford – released on bail
  • Julie Morgan, aged 58, of Windermere Avenue in Orford – released on bail
  • Anthony Bond, aged 38, from Widnes – charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and conspiracy to supply class B drugs and remanded into custody

They are due to appear before Warrington Magistrates Court today, Thursday, to face these charges.

Homes on Jurby Court in Padgate, Fairbrother Crescent, Densham Avenue, Poole Avenue and Windermere Avenue were among those raided.

Warrington Guardian:

A business on Lilford Street in Bewsey was also targeted, as was a property on Lower House Lane in Widnes.

Detective chief inspector Mike Evans said: “This morning’s arrests are a huge and positive step to disrupt another organised crime gang operating in Warrington.

“Organised crime groups will collude together to profit from supplying large amounts of cocaine, which at the same time comes with serious violence.

“Through our determination to keep protecting our community from this violence, we will always seek out those involved in high sale drug supply.

“The arrests should send a warning to those who look up to these criminal gangs, in that we are constantly one step ahead and Warrington is now a difficult place to go undetected.

“I hope today shows the public that we are continuing to pursue those involved in this criminality and acting on information that is provided to us.

“I want to strongly encourage the public to keep providing us with information, which helps us in our continued fight to keep communities safe and disrupt organised crime.”

Additional officers have been patrolling the streets near to where properties were raided in order to speak with residents and provide reassurance.

Police and crime commissioner David Keane was also present as warrants were executed.

He added: “It was great to see Cheshire’s finest in action and witness first-hand how our officers are working tirelessly to disrupt serious and organised crime in order to make our communities safer.

“This morning’s raid is just another example of how Cheshire Police is protecting vulnerable people by taking drugs off our streets and eradicating serious violence.

“It should send a clear message to anyone thinking about getting involved in serious and organised crime, that they will be caught and brought to justice.”