Walton man charged with ‘Stevo’ county line drug supply

Detectives have charged a Liverpool man following an investigation into the ‘Stevo’ county line drug supply.

Project Medusa County Lines team executed several warrants in Merseyside earlier this month, and arrested three people in connection with supplying drugs in Sefton, Liverpool, and Cheshire.

Two people were charged earlier this month and yesterday, Thursday 10 October, detectives charged a third person in connection with the ‘Stevo’ line.

David Hindley, 61 years, of Moor Lane in Walton was charged with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine and possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court today, Friday 11 October.

Two other suspects were charged on Wednesday 2 October in connection with this investigation. They were Lee Grace, 22 years, from Tettenhall, Chester charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs (heroin and crack), and Carla Belteki, 22 years, from Hawthorne Road, Bootle, charged with concern with the supply of Class A drugs (cocaine).

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

Detective Sergeant Gerard Farley: “Organised crime is hugely damaging to our communities, often involving intimidation, violence and creating fear and it is these criminals who run County Lines.

“Criminals involved in organised crime have no thought for anyone other than themselves, and their criminal intent and greed.

“We have various proactive police operations which are dedicated to cutting these County Lines dead and taking those who operate them off our streets and working with partners to help those who may be exploited by these gangs.”

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.

Spotting the signs of someone involved in County Lines can be tricky – if you are worried about someone, visit www.eyes-open.co.uk for more information.