Police thank Chorley residents following drug raids

9:33pm Monday 12th May 2008

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Police in Chorley have thanked residents after a raft of drugs warrants were executed in the town over the past few weeks.

Over the past four weeks, officers have raided 15 addresses in the town investigating leads from community intelligence.

Significant drug hauls include, a raid at a house on Great Meadow Street, Astley Village, in Chorley, on Wednesday, May 7, at 8pm, where police seized a large amount of drugs believed to be cocaine and £20,000 in cash and assets.

Martin Down, 44, appeared at Chorley Magistrates Court on Friday, May 9, in relation to the incident and has been charged with possession of Class A drugs and a trial date has been set for July 4 at Preston Crown Court.

Sergeant Alison Harris, who has lead the investigations said: "We have executed a number of warrants across the town as a result of community intelligence and we have had some very good results.

"I would like to congratulate all the residents who have come forward and provided us with all of this vital information."

On Friday, May 7, police arrested two men after finding 139 wraps of heroin and cash during a search.

Officers found the Class A drug and around £500 as they searched two men on Aniline Street, Chorley.

The men, Thomas Kirk, aged 34 and Richard Woods, 30, from Merseyside have been charged with possession of a Class A drug with intent to supply.

They appeared at Chorley Magistrates Court on Monday, May 5, and are due to appear at Preston Crown Court in June.

In another raid, on Progress Street, Chorley, on Friday, May 2, police seized a nine ounce bar of cannabis resin and around £9,000 in cash.

A 54-year-old man received a caution for possession and is on police bail whilst being investigated for money laundering offences.

Sgt Harris, added: "We have had some significant successes as a result of the community pulling together and I would like to encourage people to carry on reporting suspicious activity so that our officers can continue to target areas where drugs are being sold."