Images released of 20 men we want to trace as part of investigations into drugs supply

We have released images of 20 men who we believe could have information to assist our investigations into drugs supply offences in Merseyside.

As part of Operation Venetic, which is a national investigation into the EncroChat encrypted messaging platform, we want to speak to these men as a matter of urgency.

Although all these people are from Merseyside, they may currently be abroad. Enquiries are ongoing to find them and we are hoping that our local communities can come forward with information.

See below for a list of people we are looking to trace:

• Daniel Duckworth, 40, from Kirkby
• Paul Gouthwaite, 36, from Melling
• Paul Finnigan, 36, from Mossley Hill
• Stephen Knowles, 40, from Waterloo
• James Hitchmough, 34, from Roby
• Anthony Pinnington, 42, from Formby
• Jamie Heron, 26, from Anfield
• Ian Roberts, 30, from Huyton
• Lee Malone, 38, from Aigburth
• Carl Aldridge, 37, from Aigburth
• Josh Thomas, 32, from Poulton
• Gavin Cullen, 36, from West Derby
• Michael Leather, 31, from Huyton
• Lee Witter, 48, from Lydiate
• James Rice, 27, from Huyton
• Liam O’Hare, 33, from Huyton
• Steven Sheldon, 32, from Edge Hill
• Josh McMahon AKA Hesketh, 32, from Liscard
• Kiye Rigby, 28, from St Helens
• Adam Duffy, 42, from West Derby

Our appeal comes in the same month that we mark five years since the EncroChat servers were shut down after it was successfully infiltrated by law enforcement.

Since then, 251 people have been arrested by Merseyside Police, with 213 charged and 181 sentenced to a combined 2,276 years in prison.

We continue to investigate drug supply offences and if you recognise any of these 20 men and know of their whereabouts, please let us know.

Detective Chief Superintendent Karen Jaundrill, Head of Investigations at Merseyside Police, said: “We’ve had some fantastic results over the last five years through Operation Venetic, but we remain as determined as ever to remove even more drug dealers from our streets.

“This work continues and we are now keen to locate these 20 men who we believe could have information to assist ongoing investigations.

“If you recognise any of these men or hold any information that could help us find them, please let us know.

“You can do this by getting in touch with Merseyside Police directly, or alternatively you can stay completely anonymous and contact Crimestoppers.

“We understand it could be daunting when providing information to the police, but it’s vital that the community comes forward because your knowledge could be vital.

“We know the destruction that drug supply causes and Merseyside Police remains relentless in our pursuit of these criminals and to bring down serious and organised criminal groups.

“We have already arrested hundreds of people who tried to protect their identity behind what they believed was a secure communications system, but we continue to ensure there is no hiding place. In so many cases, we have been able to prove their culpability by linking them to an EncroChat handle beyond any doubt.

“There will never be a place for these people to hide for as long as Merseyside Police remains determined to rid our communities of drug dealers and the harm they cause."

If you have any information, you can contact @MerPolCC, 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 if a crime is in progress.