Merseyside Police make 25 arrests as part of Operation Crossbow
It's part of a joint crackdown with Cheshire Police on organised crime
Merseyside Police have made 25 arrests in Merseyside yesterday (Monday 17 October) as part of Operation Crossbow - a day of action that saw Merseyside Police and Cheshire Police join forces with British transport police to disrupt organised crime, including targeting criminals using the roads and the rail network across the region.
Nine search warrants were executed across Merseyside where two cannabis farms were found in Liverpool with over 700 plants inside. Three men were arrested on suspicion of cannabis cultivation.
Elligert Latollari aged 28 of no fixed address was charged with cannabis cultivation. He was remanded into custody at Wirral Magistrates Court this morning.
Valdas Baksys of Pearson Street, Liverpool aged 38 and Gintaras Bakunas aged 28 of no fixed abode were also charged and have been remanded into custody at Wirral Magistrates Court.
Six other men were arrested from across Merseyside after police recovered over £40,000 in cash, large amounts of cannabis, crack cocaine, heroin as well as a lock knife and a knuckleduster.
During our road operations where Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) was used to monitor vehicles crossing between the counties, six men were arrested on suspicion of drug driving and three cars were seized for no insurance.
Further arrests made on the day included three for failing to attend court, one who was recalled for breaching the conditions of their release from prison and two for domestic abuse offences.
Chief Superintendent Mark Wiggins said: “These arrests formed part of a successful day of action across Merseyside and Cheshire where criminals were targeted on our roads, railways and in our communities.
"By working with Cheshire Constabulary and British Transport police we will continue to do everything in our power to target those involved in organised crime and bring to justice those we suspect of any illegal activity.
“The day demonstrates our continued commitment to policing across our borders and those involved in this activity need to realise they are not free from police enforcement by crossing into each county.
"If you have any information any form of serious or organised crime including drug dealing, violence and the exploitation of children please contact us so we can take action.”
Any information you have can be sent to us via our social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’.
You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at Give information | Crimestoppers (crimestoppers-uk.org). Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.
Results from Cheshire Constabulary
Two people were arrested for drug offences which led to crack cocaine and heroin being recovered. A warrant was executed at a property on Bold Street in Runcorn that led to 150 cannabis being seized and a man arrested.
A number of road traffic offences were identified by officers leading to 21 notices being issued for offences including driving with a mobile phone. One arrest was made in relation to drug driving.
Officers also conducted licensing checks at taxi ranks and visited 12 premises in Widnes and Runcorn for trading standard purposes.