Liverpool gangs targeting addicts

Drugs gangs are diversifying into crack cocaine say police

Liverpool drugs barons are being blamed by police for an increase in crack cocaine use in Devon and Cornwall.

Police say in a report that Liverpool criminals who have previously controlled the heroin distribution have diversified into crack and cocaine.

The report follows the seizure of more than £400,000 of heroin in Torquay scrubland last month.

Police are still seeking five men with Liverpool accents who were seen arguing in the area shortly before.

This group poses a major threat to the force Police report

A police report says: "Liverpool criminals are now responsible for much of the Class A drug supply across the force area.

"This group poses a major threat to the force as their market places and networks are well defined and commercially viable."

The heroin haul, the biggest ever by Devon and Cornwall Police, was followed last week by the seizure of £15,000 worth of crack cocaine and heroin in a guesthouse in the Chelston-Torre area of Torquay.

Two teenage men from Liverpool have been charged with being jointly concerned in the supply of class A drugs and being in possession of a CS gas canister.

Suspicious behaviour

The strike was part of Operation Nightingale which aims to stifle the supply of hard drugs in south Devon.

Police are appealing for further information on the heroin find in Torquay scrubland.

Four large packages, weighing a total of 4 kilos, were found in a rucksack near a housing estate after suspicious behaviour was reported to the police.

Detective Sergeant Nick Wilden said after the seizure: "It goes to show what can be achieved when the public are vigilant and act in conjunction with the police. If anyone sees any further suspicious activity they should contact us.

"Intelligence suggests these amounts do come into the area and are distributed throughout Devon and Cornwall."