A Lancashire football player has been 'sacked' by his club after being charged over drugs and money laundering offences.

Daniel Roccia, who played several seasons for Bamber Bridge FC was arrested by police last week following a series of dawn raids at addresses in Preston and Blackpool.

Along with four other people, Roccia, 34, of Sherwood Avenue, Leyland, was charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs and money laundering.

They other four charged are:

  • Jodie Roccia aged 26 years from Moorland Crescent, Preston, charged with conspiracy to supply class A (cocaine) controlled drugs and money laundering
  • John Atherton aged 35 years from Old Millstones, Preston, charged with conspiracy to supply class A (cocaine) controlled drugs, and money laundering
  • David Taylor aged 36 years from Dewhurst Avenue, Blackpool charged with conspiracy to supply class A (cocaine) controlled drugs, possession with intent to supply class B (cannabis) controlled drug and money laundering
  • Darren Stanley aged 52 years from Bennetts Lane, Blackpool charged with conspiracy to supply class A (cocaine) controlled drugs, and money laundering

They appeared at Preston Magistrates’ Court last week and will next appear at Preston Crown Court.

A sixth person, a 62-year-old man from Preston, has been bailed pending further enquiries.

Operation Warrior is the police name for a county-wide crime crackdown aimed at disrupting and tackling organised crime.

Goalkeeper Roccia was until recently playing football at Kendal FC on a dual registration contract.

Earlier this week Bamber Bridge FC confirmed that they had terminated Roccia’s registration with the club.

A spokesperson for the club, who play at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium said: "Bamber Bridge Football Club can confirm that Danny Roccia was until recently, registered as a player with the club (on non-contract terms), but has spent the season on dual registration terms at Kendal Town. The club has recently terminated his registration with the club. 

"Bamber Bridge Football Club is a community focused, family friendly football club and have a zero tolerance policy towards drugs. 

"Given this is an ongoing police matter, the club will make no further statement."

In the last four months alone, Operation Warrior has led to almost 300 arrests, close to 100 charges, more than 20 cash seizures and more than 60 years imprisonment for offenders.

Operation Warrior targets both individuals and gangs involved in crime, as well as associated issues such as violence and intimidation, large scale drug supply, exploitation, and fraud, all of which can cause serious harm to local communities.

It aims to deliver on Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner Andrew Snowden's Fighting Crime Plan priority.

Police activity, coupled with a high-profile leaflet, radio and billboard campaign, has seen an increase in information being passed to police, all of which will help to bring more offenders to justice.

Det Chief Insp James Edmonds said: “I hope that our continued activity clearly shows how committed we are to tackling serious and organised crime which is a threat to communities across the country.

"It takes many forms including drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal immigration, fraud and financial crime, counterfeiting, organised acquisitive crime, cybercrime, and exploitation.”