12 people charged and more than £1m in assets seized in major drugs operation

Last year the police launched a major investigation into the use of encrypted communications platform EncroChat, which was being used to supply class A and B drugs.

During the past three weeks officers from across the county have been involved in making numerous arrests, as well as the execution of 13 search warrants in the Lancaster, Morecambe and Greater Manchester.

Officers recovered cocaine, cannabis, weapons and more than £100,000 cash along with a significant amount of crypto-currency.

The total value of assets seized and restrained connected to the investigation, named Operation Barchetta, is more than £1million.

Those arrested have appeared at magistrates court and have been remanded into custody after being charged with a number of offences including conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs and conspiracy to transfer criminal property.

Det Con Nicolle Croft, from the Operation Barchetta team, said: “This has been an in-depth investigation which has resulted in charges being brought against 12 individuals.

“Our priority is to target those who deal in Class A drugs and make a significant profit from engaging in this type of criminality.

“I would like to remind the public that the wider effort to target those that engage in dealing drugs can only be successful with the support of the public.

“The information that you can offer to us to make our efforts as effective as possible is vital. Any information regarding dealing drugs and individuals living way beyond their means can be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Those charged include:

Neil Arkwright, 38, of Ellebrook Road, Manchester.
Phillip Jenkinson, 37, of Westminster Road, Morecambe.
Adam Dawson, 27, of Lythe Fell Avenue, Morecambe.
Mark Boult, 61, of Yorkshire Street, Morecambe.
Aaron Dickinson, 39, of Grayrigg Drive, Morecambe.
Cy Boswell, 25, of Royds Avenue, Heysham.
David Harrison, 26, of Globe Drive, Morecambe .
Keiron Webster, 34, of Gressingham Drive, Lancaster.
Maurice Bragg, 45, of Old Market Court, Morecambe.

All the above charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs and conspiracy to transfer criminal property.

Nicky Gregory, 33, of Greenfinch Way, Heysham, charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and conspiracy to transfer criminal property.

Graham Hey, 36, of St Christophers Way, Morecambe, charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to transfer criminal property and possesstion with intent to supply Class B drugs.

Terry Peel, 50, of Hammerton Hall Close, Lancaster, charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs, conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, conspiracy to transfer criminal property and possession of criminal property.