A WIRRAL man was among 11 people arrested this morning as part of a police operation targeting drugs, firearms and money laundering.

The 41-year-old from Wallasey was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grevious bodily harm and blackmail after officers from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (Titan) swooped this morning.

The arrests are linked to a policing operation that saw 13 people charged following warrants executed by Titan across Merseyside, Lancashire, Cheshire and Manchester on September 27.

Officers executed search warrants in Southport, Ainsdale, Anfield, Wallasey, Huyton, Banks, Aughton as well as Woodhouses, Manchester, Hyde and Stockport.

They were assisted by officers from Merseyside, Cheshire and Greater Manchester police forces following a covert investigation into serious and organised crime.

The ten men and one woman have been taken to police stations in Merseyside, Lancashire and Greater Manchester for questioning by detectives.

During the searches officers also recovered a cannabis farm with around 100 plants at a house in Fazakerley and a quantity of a substance believed to be a Class A drug at a property in Hyde.

The others arrested are: A 43-year-old man from Bootle, on suspicion of conspiracy to commit grevious bodily harm and blackmail; A 32-year-old man from Southport, on suspicion of committing grevious bodily harm; A 35-year-old man from Huyton, on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act; A 43-year-old man from Northwich, on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs; A 49-year-old woman from Northwich, on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs; A 28-year-old man from Failsworth, Manchester, on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and conspiracy to supply class B drugs; A 43-year-old man from Hyde, Manchester, on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and conspiracy to supply class B drugs as well as offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act A 33-year-old man, of no fixed abode, on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and conspiracy to possess firearms; A 50-year-old man from Southport, on suspicion of offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act and disqualified driving; A 38-year-old man from Southport; on suspicion of offences under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Detective Superintendent Jason Hudson from Titan said: "This operation shows our continued determination to tackle gun crime and high level drug trafficking in the North West.

"We will rigourously pursue anyone believed to be involved in serious and organised crime and appeal to members of the public with any information about illegal activity across the North West to call police so we can take action against those responsible."

Anyone with any information in connection with this activity is asked to call their local police force on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Information can also be provided via Titan's website at www.titanrocu.org.uk