BRIT COKE WARS
Drugs-price surge fuels deadly violence
A MASSIVE hike in the price of cocaine is fuelling a deadly gang war.
Liverpool has seen five shootings in eight days, including the murder of career crook Carl Russell, 27.
Sources claim the violence was sparked after the price of a kilo of raw cocaine shot up £11,000 from £29,000 to £41,000 in just seven weeks.
The rise comes after a series of shipments from South America heading to Liverpool were seized. The resulting “drugs drought” has led to a turf war that police will struggle to contain, sources claim.
One insider said: “There is a major battle going on down there.
“A few major guys have been taken out recently and there is a bit of a vacuum to fill.
“There is not a lot of coke which is the issue and there are a lot of shootings going on because everyone’s fighting over what remains. That’s why there is a lot of beef. Liverpool has the most coke flowing through it in the UK, bar none.
“The gangs want their money and they’re willing to fight for it.
“It all boils down to money and they’re willing to kill for it.
“This might just be the start – I’m not sure the police will be able to cope if it really kicks off.”
The latest attack, in the Walton area of the city, saw a man shot in the leg on Monday. He was taken to hospital with non life-threatening injuries. PRICE HIKE: Cocaine