Man charged in connection with County Lines drug dealing

A man from Southport has been charged with drug supply offences following an investigation into County Lines drug dealing.

Following extensive inquiries carried out by officers as part of Operation Toxic, a warrant was executed at a property in Southport on Wednesday 20 September.

Joshua McKenna, 22, of Rainworth Square, Southport was arrested at his address where officers recovered items linked to a suspected drug line operating between Southport and South Liverpool, £1,900 of cash and a push dagger.

McKenna was later charged on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class B drugs (cannabis), possession of a controlled drug and possession of an offensive weapon in a private place.

He has been remanded into custody and appeared at Liverpool Magistrates Court yesterday (21 September).

Detective Inspector Gary Stratton from Merseyside Police said: “This investigation forms part of our ongoing work to close County Lines across Merseyside. I would ask anyone who has information about this kind of activity to come forward so we can continue to take action.”

Operation Toxic is part of Project Medusa – a Merseyside-led initiative set up to tackle County Lines drug dealing and child criminal exploitation across the country.

Since 2019, Project Medusa officers have closed 1,101 county lines; arrested 2,421 people for various offences including drug supply, firearms offences and money laundering; and identified 1,256 vulnerable adults and children who have been referred to safeguarding services.

If you have concerns about drug dealing in your area you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, call Merseyside Police on 101 or DM @MerpolCC.  Always contact 999 if a crime is in progress.