Posted: Fri 25th May 2018

Drugs & cash seized in dawn raids – no firearms recovered or arrests made in Wrexham

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Friday, May 25th, 2018

Several dawn raids by police took place yesterday morning, including at an address in Wrexham.

Due to the alarming list of weaponry and picture of an Uzi submachine gun in the media release Wrexham.com asked Merseyside Police if any firearms had been recovered in Wrexham, and were told no arrests were made, nor firearms were recovered in Wrexham.

Officers carried out dawn raids at 12 addresses across Merseyside and one in North Wales yesterday as part of an operation set up to tackle gun and drug crime.

Warrants were executed at 12 addresses in Liverpool, Wirral and Wrexham.

Officers will also be searching a number of businesses linked to individuals arrested and will be accompanied by representatives from partner agencies, including Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, Environmental Health and the Security Industry Authority, to ensure the businesses are not in breach of any current legislation under their jurisdiction.

During the course of the investigation officers seized five firearms (a Beretta, Uzi machine gun, Baikal and two sawn-off shotguns) – but not in Wrexham. Quantities of Class A and B drugs and a number of cash seizures also took place.

Chief Inspector Paul Court, said: “The action taken by officers this morning is the culmination of a 10-month operation targeting those involved in serious and organised crime in the Wavertree area.

“The investigation was put in place after members of the public raised concerns about drug dealing in their communities. Sadly, sometimes those involved in the supply and distribution of drugs will resort to using firearms to protect their illegal trade, or to resolve petty disputes.

He added: “I would like to reassure that the public that we are relentless in our pursuit of those involved in serious and organised crime and we are committed to making our streets safer for our communities.

“No-one should have to put up with drug dealing, and the associated crime it brings. We will work together with our communities to improve the quality of life in our neighbourhoods and make our communities stronger.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Chris Green, added: “We carefully planned this initiative over several months and today’s operation is testament to the Force’s commitment – with the support of the public and partner agencies – to tackling gun crime in Merseyside.

“As part of this operation we have already recovered five firearms and a substantial quantity of Class A drugs.

“These arrests send out a clear message to those involved in gun crime – the use of firearms blights our communities and puts ordinary law abiding people at risk. We will not stand by and let these people wreak havoc and cause fear in our communities.

“I can reassure the public that we will keep up the pressure on gun crime offenders and will pursue them relentlessly and put them before the courts to make our streets safer.

“The action we have taken today has been made possible thanks to members of the public who have taken a stand and given us information and I would appeal to anyone who has information about those involved in gun crime, or where guns are being stored, to contact us. We will act on all information about gun crime offences to make our streets safer for our communities.”

Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Jane Kennedy said: “This well-planned and carefully executed operation demonstrates the Force’s relentless commitment to cracking down on serious and organised crime in Merseyside. I congratulate all those involved in carrying it out.

“It is the result of months of detailed and painstaking work from teams across the whole Force which has been supported by a host of community safety partners. By listening to the concerns of people living in these communities and working closely with them, the Force have gathered the information they need to put together this operation. This has led to guns and drugs being taken off our streets, making them a safer place to live.

“This type of crime has a direct impact on our communities, whether it be through the fear that makes people afraid to leave their homes, the drugs that bring misery to our streets or the guns that can cause serious injury or kill. Tackling serious and organised crime is one of my policing priorities and today’s operation shows that the Force will do everything possible to stop this type of criminal activity to make the streets of Merseyside safer.”

11 people were subsequently charged with a range of offences (details here) again none with addresses in Wrexham, and are appearing today in Wirral Magistrates Court in Birkenhead.



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