Five charged with drug supply after Wirral warrants

We have charged five men with drug supply after warrants were executed in Wirral yesterday morning (Thursday 17 December).

The warrants were carried out following an investigation into the supply of cocaine in England and Scotland, and form part of the Merseyside Police response to Operation Venetic, a national investigation into the use of encrypted mobile devices, commonly referred to as Encrochat. 

The following five men were charged with conspiracy to supply class A controlled drugs between March and December 2020:

- Joseph Bernard Drake, 45, of Overchurch Road, Upton, 
- Joseph  Thomas Cropper, 37, of Lynnbank, Oxton 
- Christopher Hanlon, 40, of Elton Street, Liverpool
- Jordan James Smith, 23, of Townsend Street, Birkenhead  
- Robert Pearce, 67, of Gainsborough Road, Upton

They were remanded in custody to appear at Liverpool Magistrates this morning (Friday 19 December).