SEVEN suspected members of a ‘high level drugs conspiracy’ have been charged after a series of dawn raids.

Cheshire Police executed search warrants at properties on Regency Close in Widnes yesterday morning, Wednesday.

This followed an 18-month investigation into an organised crime group that has allegedly been supplying class A and B drugs to other gangs in the town.

Addresses in Warrington, St Helens and Liverpool were also raided by officers.

A bounty of weapons, including shotguns and a crossbow, were seized – as were designer items, jewellery and a car.

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Four men and three women have now been charged with a range of offences in connection with the raids.

  • 40-year-old John Tobin, of no fixed address, was charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis and was remanded into custody
  • 51-year-old Alan Tobin, of Widnes, has been charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis and was remanded into custody
  • 29-year-old old Simon Leech, of Brindley Avenue in Latchford, has been charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and was remanded into custody
  • 38-year-old Robbie Broughton, of St Helens, has been charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis and was remanded into custody
  • 36-year-old Kathryn Walker, of Liverpool, has been charged with two counts of possession of criminal property and was released on bail
  • 34-year-old Helen Hartley, of Widnes, has been charged with two counts of possession of criminal property and was released on bail
  • 62-year-old Ann Hartley, of Widnes, has been charged with possession of criminal property and was released on bail

All seven defendants appeared at Chester Magistrates Court this morning in order to face these charges and will now be brought before Liverpool Crown Court next month.

Detective chief inspector Giles Pierce, from the force’s serious and organised crime unit, earlier said: “This conspiracy came to our attention following previous investigations into two organised crime gangs in Warrington, codenamed Operation Samurai and Operation Dreadnought.

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“Those arrested are suspected of being part of a well-established organised crime group who we believe were operating at a high level across the north west.

“It is a massively significant result in our determination to disrupt organised crime gangs operating from Warrington and supplying these drugs further afield.”

“If a criminal is suspected of operating a drugs enterprise they are likely to gain substantial profit and might display their riches in public.

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“It is important people in the community learn to recognise those who could be living above their means and showing an increase in wealth and report it to police.”

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Cheshire police and crime commissioner David Keane added: “Drugs have a huge impact on our community and blight our neighbourhoods, causing misery to victims.

“This operation is another example of the serious and organised crime unit once again pursuing gangs believed to be involved in the supply of drugs.

“I remain proud of their hard work and determination in disrupting this crime and their continued efforts to protect our communities.”