A man suspected of enlisting and exploiting children in a drugs venture was today named by police.
The suspect is the fourth person to be charged as part of an operation aimed at busting County Lines gangs.
The man is due in court today after he was charged following raids across Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire in Tuesday, February 23.
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The raids saw doors go in as part of what police said was "an ongoing investigation into suspected child criminal exploitation and drug dealing in the North West".
The operation is targeting County Lines - networks run by city gangs who attempt to take over the drugs market in other towns and cities, sometimes peddling misery hundred of miles from their base and often using children to carry out their dirty work.
Confirning a fourth suspect had been charged, a Merseyside Police spokesperson said: "Kieran Gaughan, 26 years (old), of no fixed address was arrested yesterday (Thursday 11 March) and has now been charged."
The spokesperson said he had been charged with:
Arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation
Being concerned in the supply of cocaine
Being concerned in supply of heroin
Being concerned in the supply of a Class B controlled drug (cannabis)
Supplying a Class A controlled drug (crack cocaine)
Supplying a Class A controlled drug (heroin)
Affray; possession of a knife/blade/sharp pointed article in a public place; and actual bodily harm.
He has been remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court today.
Three other suspects have previously been charged following the raids in February.
They are:
- 24-year-old Daniel Clarke of Flers Avenue, Latchford, Warrington, who has been charged with arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
- 46-year-old Louise Hilton of Yarrow Road, Chorleywas charged with Concerned in the supply of Cocaine; Concerned in the supply of Heroin; and arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
- And 20-year-odl Emily Norman of Festival Avenue, Orford, Warrington, was charged with arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
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You can report any concerns to police on 999 if a crime is in progress, via 101, or the police's social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre'.
You can also pass information via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.
