Five men from Liverpool have been charged in connection with a major investigation into the supply of cocaine and a gun.
The suspects were arrested in a series of raids carried out by the National Crime Agency last week.
The swoop was part of a probe linked to information obtained through the downfall of the EncroChat communications system.
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Detectives targeted homes across the North West when they executed warrants in Liverpool, Warrington and Greater Manchester on Thursday.
The NCA said the operation was centred on an investigation into a crime gang dealing Class A and Class B drugs.
Today, the organisation revealed five men from Merseyside had now been charged.
They are: Craig Gallagher, 34, of Inchcape Road, Childwall; Christopher Van Maren, 39, of Rhodesia Road, Fazakerley; Marcus Allen, 27, of Grey Road, Walton; Liam Reynolds, 25, of Mount Road, Kirkby; and Kevin Boyle, 40, of Warbreck Road, Orrell Park.
Wesley Campbell, 37, of Castle Green and Carl Pickering, 39, of Hughes Avenue, both Warrington, and David Jones, 37, of Harvey Avenue, Newton-le-Willows, were also charged.
Gallagher was charged with conspiracies to fraudulently evade the prohibition on importation of cocaine; supply cocaine; supply cannabis, money laundering and to possess for sale or transfer prohibited firearms and ammunition without the authority of the secretary of state.
Van Maren was charged with conspiracies to fraudulently evade the prohibition on importation of cocaine; supply cocaine; supply cannabis, and money laundering.
Allen was charged with conspiracies to supply cocaine, cannabis and money laundering.
Reynolds was charged with conspiracies to supply cocaine and money laundering.
Boyle and Campbell was charged with conspiracies to fraudulently evade the prohibition on importation of cocaine; supply cocaine and money laundering.
Pickering and Jones were charged with conspiracies to supply cocaine and money laundering.
The defendants are due to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on October 15.
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