A MAN has been charged following a dawn raid in Widnes yesterday, Tuesday.

Paul Ferraiolo, of Fox Bank Close in Widnes, has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine).

The 41-year-old is expected to appear at Chester Magistrates' Court this morning.
Cheshire Police executed a search warrant on Fox Bank Close, Upton Rocks, at 5.30am on Tuesday.

In total, 15 men were arrested during a series of raids across Cheshire, Carlisle and Scunthorpe as part of efforts to tackle a ‘serious and organised’ crime gang.

Eleven men were arrested in Warrington and one was arrested in Widnes – all aged between 19 and 41.

WARNING - THIS VIDEO CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE: Watch the moment police raid the house on Fox Bank Close in Widnes

Meanwhile, a 23-year-old man from Carlisle was held by police and two men were arrested in Scunthorpe.

A 28-year-old man has also been produced from prison.

The men are allegedly part of a cocaine dealing ring operating in the Warrington area, with more than £140,000 worth of class A drugs found in the properties.

Aaron Duggan, head of crime at Cheshire Police, said: “This is part of an ongoing investigation that we’ve had running for some time now in Cheshire, linked to serious and organised crime.

“We’ve conducted a number of arrests across Warrington, Widnes and Cumbria and we will also be producing somebody from prison who will be assisting us with our enquiries.

“This investigation is on the back of ongoing work into disrupting those who are involved in serious and organised crime in Cheshire and beyond the border.

“It’s something that we’re really passionate about, and ultimately it’s about keeping vulnerable people safe.

“I hope that today’s activity sends a really strong message to those that are involved in serious and organised crime, that Cheshire Police will take positive action if they’re involved in that type of criminality.”

More than 140 police officers were involved in this morning’s raids, codenamed Operation Rider.

Runcorn and Widnes World:

Aaron Duggan

Detective chief superintendent Duggan added: “This organised crime group are well known to their local communities.

“They have a reputation, and that reputation is predominantly because of fear – they put people in fear whilst they’re committing crime.

“We acknowledge that it is terribly difficult for the local community to be brave, to come forward and talk to the police but we can’t do it without their help.

“I hope that these arrests go some way to reassuring the community that we will take positive action.”

All the men held by police have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs, and are currently assisting officers with their enquiries.

Runcorn and Widnes World:

Drugs seized as part of the operation

Detective chief superintendent Duggan said: “It’s unfortunate that with this offending and this type of crime, those involved with serious and organised crime will exploit vulnerable people in order to make money.

“That’s exactly what they do it for, it’s all about money, and in doing so they exploit vulnerable people.

“People are frightened of these individuals, and there’s also a cycle of being trapped through debt or their lifestyles – whether they’re drug addicts or in a chaotic family setting.

“It’s very tragic when you look at some of the lives of people who’ve been involved.

“It’s difficult to say how much money this group are making, but serious and organised crime in this country is a threat to the UK’s economy – that’s how much money is in serious and organised crime.

“We’re in a nice area here, and this is a nice property.

“People commit this type of crime to make money, and there will be considerable money in it.”