A PRESCOT man has admitted to dealing heroin after being arrested and charged in a police county lines drug dealing crackdown.

Officers from Cheshire Police and Merseyside Police joined forces on Friday for Operation Medusa – an ongoing initiative to crackdown on county lines drug dealing and child criminal exploitation.

As part of the operation, officers flooded the streets of Widnes and the main transport routes used by county lines drug dealers when travelling between Liverpool and Halton.

Multiple stop checks were conducted as part of the operation, resulting in the arrest of three men and the seizure of class A and B drugs.

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A 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis, with cash and a mobile phone also seized. The teen was stopped while riding a bike and he was released under investigation.

Meanwhile, an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, possession with intent to supply cannabis, possession of an offensive weapon in private place, possession of cocaine and possession of criminal property. He was released on police bail.

In addition, a 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Josh Viggars, of Kemble Street, Prescot, was since charged with and admitted possession with intent to supply heroin. He is due to be sentenced at Chester Crown Court next month.

Inspector Thomas Hall, of Widnes Local Policing Unit said: “We know that criminals do not simply stop when they reach boarders.

“Instead, organised crime groups based in major cities like Liverpool are always looking to extend their criminal activities into other locations, including Widnes.

St Helens Star:

“This operation forms part of our ongoing commitment to make our town a hostile place for criminals, disrupt illegal activity and make Widnes a safer place for everyone.

“However, it was not just about catching criminals and seizing drugs. As part of the operation we also wanted to identify and safeguard vulnerable adults and children who are controlled, coerced and manipulated into dealing drugs on behalf of organised crime gangs.

“By doing so we can offer them the support that they require and help to set them on the right path for a better life and move them away from crime.”

Inspector Hall added: “Following this operation, we will continue to work with other forces and partner agencies to do everything in our power to protect local residents from serious and organised crime.

“However, we also need support from the public. We need residents to be our eyes and ears by looking out for and reporting suspicious behaviour and signs of vulnerable children and adults being exploited.

“If you have any information that may help us to build more intelligence regarding county lines drug dealing, bring offenders to justice and keep vulnerable members of our communities safe, then please get in touch.

“Together we can take dangerous substances off our streets.”

  • Any information regarding drug dealing in your community, no matter how small, should be reported to Cheshire Police by calling 101 or visiting cheshire.police.uk. Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.