POLICE in St Helens have issued an update on Operation Harrier, the one-day series of raids targeting drug offenders which took place earlier this month throughout the borough.

A total of 36 people suspected of drug offences were arrested in St Helens and 29 of these were subsequently charged. Of these, 11 were kept in police custody and seven were put on police bail. Four have pleaded guilty to the charges, two have been sentenced and two more are awaiting sentence. A large quantity of drugs were also recovered in the raids including heroin, crack cocaine, methadone and cannabis.

Chief Inspector Peter Clarke, the operations manager at St Helens, said: "Although Operation Harrier is over, we are still taking information from local people and making follow-up enquiries so please do not hesitate to contact the police or Crimestoppers if you know anything."

The Crimestoppers hot-line is 0800 555 111.

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