POLICE investigating county lines drug operations in Liverpool, Sefton and Cheshire have charged a man from Tattenhall.

Detectives from Merseyside Police have charged Lee Grace with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs (heroin and crack).

The 22-year-old appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, October 2, alongside Carla Belteki, 22, from Bootle, who was also charged with being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs (cocaine).

Grace and Belteki were charged as part of Operation Toxic, part of Project Medusa - a Merseyside-led initiative set up to tackle suspected County Lines drug dealing and child criminal exploitation across the country.

A third person, David Hindley, 61, from Walton, was charged yesterday (Thursday, October 11) with being concerned in the supply of heroin and crack cocaine and possession with intent to supply heroin and crack cocaine.

The team executed several warrants in Merseyside earlier this month as part of an investigation into the ‘Stevo’ supply line.

Detective Sergeant Gerard Farley said: “Organised crime is hugely damaging to our communities, often involving intimidation, violence and creating fear and it is these criminals who run County Lines.

“Criminals involved in organised crime have no thought for anyone other than themselves, and their criminal intent and greed.

“We have various proactive police operations which are dedicated to cutting these County Lines dead and taking those who operate them off our streets and working with partners to help those who may be exploited by these gangs.”