Man arrested over gun and drugs offences
ASOUTHPORT man has been arrested on suspicion of gun possession and possession of class A drugs with intent to supply.
It is part of an ongoing operation by Merseyside Police after a number of recent shootings in the region.
Police said they arrested two men and seized ammunition and large quantities of drugs and cash, and arrested the third man on suspicion of possessing a gun and drugs supply, as part of their continued crackdown in response to the recent firearms incidents.
At 3.20am yesterday ( Wednesday) morning, a man who was wanted for suspected firearms offences was stopped in a car on Peel Street in Southport.
The 21-year-old, from Southport, was arrested on suspicion of possession of a shotgun and possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply.
The man was yesterday taken into custody, where he was being questioned.
At around 9am on Tuesday, a warrant was executed at an address in Huyton. During a search of the property, more than 40 rounds of ammunition and suspected crack cocaine and heroin were recovered and a 22-yearold man from Huyton was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply and possession of ammunition.
At 8.30pm on Tuesday, a man was stop-checked in Mace Road, Croxteth after being seen acting suspiciously. Officers searched him and his car and seized wraps of cannabis and around £10,000 in cash.
The 25-year-old from West Derby, was arrested on suspicion of possession of Class B drugs with intent to supply and money laundering.
Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Holland said: “Communities across Merseyside will see continued action over the coming days and weeks, as we relentlessly pursue those who bring gun crime and fear to the streets of Merseyside.
“We are determined to identify and dismantle those groups involved in gun crime who put our communities at risk, as well as those periphera l figures who store drugs and weapons to support serious and organised crime.
“Information provided by communities who are affected by this cowardly and despicable behaviour will lead to more of the same results; more guns, ammunition and drugs removed from the streets.
“My message to those engaged in gun crime is clear: we know who you are, we can see where you are operating, and we will be coming to arrest you.”
Detectives are appealing to anyone who may have information which could help them with their enquiries to contact the specialist Matrix gun crime team on 0800 230 0600, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.