Posted: Tue 16th May 2023

North Wales Police crack down on major drug trafficking ring

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area
This article is old - Published: Tuesday, May 16th, 2023

Nineteen individuals suspected of involvement in a large-scale organised crime group have been arrested as part of major operation against drug trafficking.

The group is believed to be responsible for trafficking Class A and B drugs across North Wales and neighbouring regions. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Between 10 and 12 May, officers from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit executed nine warrants across North Wales, Halewood, Widnes, and Haverfordwest. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The operation targeted those suspected of playing an active role in the trafficking of illicit drugs sourced from Merseyside and the Midlands. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

During the operation, officers seized several mobile devices, suspected Class A and B drugs, cash, and drug supply paraphernalia. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Of the 19 people arrested, 10 have been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs, while the remaining nine are on police bail pending the conclusion of the investigation. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Detective Inspector Richard Sidney expressed his gratitude to colleagues in Merseyside, Cheshire, and Dyfed Powys for their collaboration in the operation.

“We are determined that our response to County Lines will remain without borders,” he said. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“This operation marks a significant step in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in the region, demonstrating the effectiveness of cross-county collaboration in tackling organised crime. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“North Wales Police continue to work closely with neighbouring forces to disrupt the supply of illicit drugs and bring those responsible to justice.”



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