Police have continued to target crime groups in the Huyton area as a result of the penetration of the EncroChat phone network.
Detectives announced the seizure of 40kg of suspected cocaine during raids in the Huyton area this morning ( Thursday) . Three men and a woman were arrested on suspicion of drug offences.
The force has said that today's activity was a result of Operation Venetic, the codename given to the penetration of the Encrochat phone network. The encrypted network was used by crime gangs across Europe to sell drugs, guns and plan other serious crimes.
READ MORE: Millions of pounds of drugs found as EncroChat police raid homes
Operation Aquarium, Merseyside Police's own response to Project Emma - the French-Dutch initiative that cracked the encrypted messaging system - has been behind 130 arrests since the team first obtained messages sent through the service.
Today marked the latest in a wave of raids across Huyton as a direct result of Operation Venetic, which appears to have had a major disruption on drug gangs based in the area.
A clutch of well known street dealers from the Huyton area have been jailed so far as part of the same police operation.
There is now a growing sense of angst and desperation amongst Knowsley based crime groups due to the success so far of Operation Venetic.
The police investigation appears to have affected different several generations of criminals who were all heavily involved in the sale of cocaine.
The ECHO is also aware that criminals who have not used an EncroChat phone but whose associates have are also extremely worried about future developments.
One former Liverpool criminal said to the ECHO : "They must be on their knees by now. And there is no point in running because if your name is on one of the Encro phones, they are coming for you. "
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Kameen recently told the ECHO that the force was still working through the large haul of data recovered from the network. He said that the force still had many doors to knock on and more arrests to make.
The ECHO has previously reported how Operation Venetic has had a particularly disruptive impact on Huyton's underworld.
Last month Jordan Alvis and Christopher Dentith were both jailed for drug offences as a direct result of Operation Venetic.
Alvis was sentenced to nine years after he admitted conspiracy to supply ketamine and heroin and conspiracy to conceal criminal property.
The 35-year-old, of Trent Close in West Derby, used the EncroChat profile 'Laughingstorm' to manage his illicit operation.
Dentith acted under the user handle 'Kindtailor'.
The 29-year-old, of College View in Huyton, was sentenced to 17 years and three months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin, and possession of criminal property.
Both men were very well known Huyton based drug dealers.
Alvis and Dentith were the latest in a long line of Huyton drug dealers who have all been jailed as a result of Operation Venetic.
Michael Townsend, of Grant Road in Huyton, supplied bulk quantities of cannabis to other dealers across the city.
The dealer who used the handle " SacredMask" on the Encrochat network was jailed for six years during a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court in February.
The 26-year-old was convicted of conspiracy to supply cannabis and acquire/use/possess criminal property.
Shaun Done, of Beech Road , Huyton, moved drugs and cash around the city for a local drug gang.
The gang provided Done with an Encrochat phone and the 25-year-old used the handle 'NuttyLeopard' on the Encrochat network.
The Huyton man was jailed for seven years and nine months during a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court in February.
Thomas Brabbins tried to jump out of a bedroom window when police raided his home on Cherry Tree Road in Huyton.
Police raided Brabbins' Huyton home on June 14 last year, which is when the drug dealer tried to make his escape.
Brabbins ,28, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, cannabis, possession with intent to supply cannabis, two counts of acquiring criminal property and possession of cannabis.
The Huyton drug dealer was jailed for seven and a half years during a hearing at Liverpool Crown Court in February.
Liverpool Crown court heard how Jordan Hughes, of Holly Grove in Roby, lived out an enviable life style on the back of the drug trade.
The 30-year-old dad drove around in a Mercedes SUV and even had an extension carried out on his home on Holly Grove in Roby.
Hughes did business on the Encrochat network, using the handle 'SnowEmu'
The 30-year-old even took his family on a six-week summer holiday to Spain, all thanks to his deals with other criminals going by handles including "JurgenNeverStops" and "AlissonBecker".
He is now serving out a 12 year sentence after he admitted conspiring to supply cocaine and heroin.
Earlier today police revealed more details about the latest activity in the Huyton area. The haul of suspected cocaine which could be worth millions will now be subject to testing. Those arrested are:
A 23-year-old man from Huyton on suspicion of possession of cocaine with intent to supply.
A 39-year-old woman from Huyton on suspicion of possession of cocaine with intent to supply.
A 30-year-old man from Huyton on suspicion of conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin and cannabis.
A 42-year-old man from Billinge on suspicion of conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin and cannabis.
Detective Inspector Christopher Lowe said: “Those involved in the supply and distribution of dangerous drugs have no regard whatsoever for the misery they cause, which is why proactive activity such as this is vital in disrupting criminal activity and putting individuals involved before the courts.
“This operation continues apace and we will continue working closely with forces up and down the country, as well as North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and the National Crime Agency, to protect our communities and prevent harmful drugs from reaching vulnerable people in Merseyside."
Chief Inspector Duncan Swan said: “Those involved in the supply of drugs are often responsible for violent incidents on our streets in Knowsley.
"Every time officers disrupt the activity of criminals by arresting suspects and seizing illicit drugs and cash, it removes their ability to cause further harm and to use the misery of others to line their pockets.
“We will go on do everything in our power to protect our communities because nobody should have to fear that a person living nearby may be involved in drug supply, or that the disputes criminals get involved in will spill out into their street.
“Every time someone buys drugs from criminals they are fuelling an illicit business that directly impacts the safety of people in our communities. I would urge anyone aware of drug dealing in their area to let us know so that we can take the direct action we have taken today, and improve the quality of life for people right across Merseyside.”
*Anyone with information on drug dealing is asked to contact Merseyside Police by calling 101 or via Twitter (@MerPolCC). Crimestoppers can be contacted, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or online here.
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