Eighth man arrested following dawn raids in Rock Ferry (From Wirral Globe)

Eighth man arrested following dawn raids in Rock Ferry

9:26am Friday 25th January 2013 in News

AN eighth man from Wirral has been arrested following dawn raids across Merseyside.

A 25-year-old from Rock Ferry was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs. He has been taken to a police station for questioning.

Four men, aged 32 and 34, and two aged 28, all from Rock Ferry, were also arrested on Thursday morning and have been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Two men, a 51-year-old from West Derby and a 30-year-old from Rock Ferry, have been released without charge.

A 36-year-old man from Rock Ferry arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug remains in police custody.

In total, officers carried out 12 warrants at addresses in Rock Ferry and West Derby.

Searches of the properties are ongoing but following a raid at an address in Rock Ferry, police found a small quantity of what is believed to be cocaine.

The arrests are the culmination of a 12-month operation targeting the supply of cannabis across the county.

Police have already recovered more than 250 plants with an estimated street value of £250,000.

Inspector David Westby, who is leading the operation, said the action “highlights Merseyside Police's continued commitment to targeting those involved in the illegal supply of drugs.”

“Drugs not only blight our communities but also fuel all sorts of other crime which affects the lives of ordinary working people. I would encourage residents to keep reporting suspicious or criminal activity to the police so that we can take rigorous action," he said.