TWO men have been charged after an explosive device was found which led to a controlled explosion being carried out in New Brighton.

Detectives from Merseyside Police's specialist County Lines Unit, Project Medusa, charged two suspects after the device was located at an address in Liverpool and removed by the Army Disposal team on Friday evening, April 19.

At around 2.25pm on April 19, officers from Operation Toxic carried out a search of a property on Ellis Place where they located an explosive device which was safely removed by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team. 

A controlled explosion was then carried out at The Dips in New Brighton.

Operation Toxic is part of Project Medusa – a Merseyside-led initiative set up to tackle County Lines drug dealing and child criminal exploitation across the country. 

Two men were later arrested and charged with several drug offences.

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Lain Estridge, 21, of Laurel Road, Liverpool has been charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine, being concerned in the supply of heroin, possession with intent to sell heroin possession with intent to sell crack cocaine and possession of criminal property. 

Deljai Washington, 22 of Sandon Street in Liverpool has been charged with possession of an explosive substance for unlawful purpose, possession with intent to sell crack cocaine, possession of criminal property, being concerned in the supply of cannabis resin and possession with intent to sell cannabis. 

They have been remanded into custody and appeared at Liverpool Adult Remand Court on Saturday morning, April 20.