Fourth person charged following county lines warrants

Detectives have charged a fourth person following County Lines warrants in Merseyside, Lancashire and Cheshire on Tuesday 23 February.

The warrants were carried out as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected child criminal exploitation and drug dealing in the North West. 

Kieran Gaughan, 26 years, of no fixed address was arrested yesterday (Thursday 11 March) and has now been charged with arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation; being concerning in the supply of cocaine; being concerned in supply of heroin; being concerned in the supply of a Class B controlled drug (cannabis); supplying a Class A controlled drug (crack cocaine); supplying a Class A controlled drug (heroin); affray; possession of a knife/blade/sharp pointed article in a public place; and actual bodily harm.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court today (Friday 12 March).

The following three people were charged on 24 February and appeared in court on 25 February.

• Louise Hilton, 46 years, of Yarrow Road, Chorley, Lancashire was charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine; being concerned in the supply of heroin; and arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation
• Emily Norman, 20 years, of Festival Avenue, Orford, Warrington, Cheshire was charged with arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation

Read more here about how to spot the signs and the Eyes Open campaign, introduced by Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/police-forces/merseyside-police/areas/campaigns/campaigns/2018/eyes-open/

You can also report any concerns to police on 999 if a crime is in progress, via 101, or our social media desk via Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook 'Merseyside Police Contact Centre'.

You can also pass information via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.