Two women and a man suspected of enlisting and exploiting children in a drugs venture were today named by police.
The three suspects have been charged after detectives carried out raids across Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire on Tuesday.
The raids were part of a crackdown on 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.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
Merseyside Police today confirmed Tuesday's warrants were carried out as part of "an ongoing investigation into suspected child criminal exploitation and drug dealing in the North West".
And they confirmed three people had been charged after the raids.
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.
All three have been remanded in custody to appear at court this morning, Thursday, February 25.
Find the number of people vaccinated near you by entering your postcode below
You can also 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.
