Three men charged for drug offences following warrants in Wigan and Merseyside

Three men have been charged following drugs warrants in Wigan and Merseyside this week.

On Tuesday 6 June at 6am, three warrants were executed at addresses in Wigan, Formby and Kirkby by officers from Merseyside Police’s Project Medusa and Wigan’s Challenger Organised Crime teams.

Officers uncovered a cultivation of cannabis plants, cannabis, mobile phones and approximately £2,000 in cash.

The warrants were conducted in relation to an investigation into the supply of Class A drugs by an organised crime group operating the ‘Scouse Jonno’ County Line between Liverpool and Wigan.

Craig Gee, aged 44, of Alder Avenue, Wigan, Thomas Prior, aged 32, of Victoria Road, Formby and Mark Keogh, aged 35, of North Mount Road, Kirkby appeared at Wirral Adult Remand Court where they were charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin).

In addition, Gee was charged with production of cannabis. Prior was charged with possession of cannabis and possession of criminal property. Keogh was charged with possession of cannabis.

They were remanded in custody and will appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday 5 July.

Merseyside’s Project Medusa team – which provides the daily force response to County Lines – works alongside partners and other forces from across the UK to dismantle and disrupt criminal gangs.

Since 2019, Project Medusa officers have closed 842 lines, arrested more than 2,200 people for offences including drug supply, firearms and money laundering and identified 1,186 children and vulnerable adults who have been referred to safeguarding services.  

Anyone who has any information about County Lines drug dealing in their area or anyone who is concerned about someone who may be being exploited by these gangs, can contact @CrimestoppersUK completely anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact 101. In an emergency always contact 999.