Man charged with drugs and firearms offences after car stop

Detectives have charged a man with drugs and weapons offences after a car was stopped in Stockbridge Village yesterday (Sunday 25 April).

Officers stopped a BMW on Waterpark Drive at around 10pm, and detained the front seat passenger who was wanted by police.

Joseph Ventre, 25 years, of no fixed address has been charged with purchasing/acquiring a prohibited weapon for sale or transfer; purchasing/acquiring prohibited ammunition for sale or transfer; cosniracy to supply cannabis and conspiracy to supply ketamine.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court on Tuesday 27 April.

The charge forms another part of the Merseyside Police response to Operation Venetic: the national investigation into the use of encrypted mobile devices, commonly referred to as Encrochat.