Op Venetic: Man arrested on suspicion of drug supply

A Liverpool man has been arrested on suspicion of drug supply today, Wednesday 10 July. 

A 37-year-old man from Islington was arrested today on suspicion of conspiracy to import a Class B controlled drug, conspiracy to supply a Class A controlled drug and conspiracy to supply a Class B controlled drug.

He has been taken into custody to be interviewed.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Atkinson said: "This arrest forms part of our Police response to Operation Venetic: an international operation targeting criminals who used a mobile encryption service to try to evade detection.

"To date, a total of 178 people have been sentenced in Merseyside as part of Operation Venetic, to a combined 2,002 years in prison.

"And through the Proceeds of Crime Act, Merseyside Police has seized £2.3m from those offenders found to have used the encrypted devices.

"We continue to analyse the data from the devices and to detect and arrest those involved in the sale and distribution of Class A and B drugs across Merseyside.

"Drug dealers bring nothing but misery to our communities, prettying on vulnerable people and using threats, violence and intimidation to maintain their illicit trade.

"I would ask anyone who has any information about who is supplying or selling drugs in their area to contact us so we can take action."

Anyone with information on suspected drug production or criminal activity in their community can contact @MerPolCC, call 101 or come forward anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.