A WIRRAL man has been charged with drug offences and conspiracy to possess a firearm after police made an arrest at Manchester Airport earlier this week.

At around 8.40pm on Tuesday (August 9) police stopped and arrested a man from Birkenhead as he arrived at the airport on a flight from Tenerife.

Police then executed a warrant at a house in Birkenhead and discovered three swords, a knuckle duster and suspected Class B drugs (cannabis) which were all seized at the address.

Liam Freaney, 36, of Beechwood, has been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs and conspiracy to possess a firearm without a licence.

The charge was made as part of Operation Aquarium – a police investigation into drugs supply and the Merseyside Police response to Operation Venetic: a national investigation into the use of encrypted mobile devices, commonly referred to as Encrochat.

Freaney appeared at Wirral magistrates court this morning. 

He was remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on September 8