Suspected drug smuggler arrested

Busy weekend for officers as a suspected drug smuggler was arrested and over 50 kilos of drugs seized.

A man, 44, was arrested at Liverpool airport on Saturday (July 25), after a targeted police operation by officers from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU), UK Border Force and Merseyside Police.

The suspect was wanted by police after a previous interception in Newcastle which saw the seizures of over 30 kilos of cannabis.

The arrest strike was planned, and he was stopped and arrested at Liverpool airport and found in possession of a further 20 kilos of cannabis.

The man has been bailed while enquiries continue.

Speaking after the arrest, Sergeant Neil Lovat, part of NEROCU’s Disruption Team, praised the partnership working.

Sgt Lovat said: “I want to thank everyone involved; this has been an excellent display of what can be achieved when partner agencies work together to take action against illegal drug operations.

“We will continue to work with our partners, under Operation Sentinel, to dismantle the criminal groups who try to profit from the sale and supply of illegal drugs and inflicting harm to communities.”

If you have any information about drug supply, you can report it to your local police or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.