The charges come after five properties were raided by police
Officers from Merseyside Police conduct a raid in Liverpool. Generic image. (Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Four people have been charged in connection with drug dealing and blackmail offences linked to alleged child exploitation in Wirral. Last week, officers from Merseyside Police raided five properties as part of an ongoing investigation into drug supply in the region.
Four people have now been charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine, being concerned in the supply of ketamine, being concerned in the supply of cannabis and being concerned in the supply of nitrous oxide.
They are:
- Dylan Hamlet, 22, of Wentworth Avenue in New Brighton. He has been remanded into custody
- Abigail Pengelly, 29 years, of Queen Mary’s Drive in Port Sunlight. She has been bailed with conditions
- Abigail Fletcher, 27 years, of Shrewsbury Road in Oxton. She has been bailed with conditions
- Chloe Mitchell, 18 years, of King Street in Rock Ferry. She has been bailed with conditions
Hamlet was also charged with conspiracy to commit blackmail between June 9 to June 18 this year. Pengelly has been charged with possession with intent to supply cannabis.
They will all next appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, September 26.
Detective Inspector Stephen Croasdale said: “Organised crime and drug dealing 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.
“Merseyside Police remains committed to targeting those who commit crimes and disrupting organised crime groups and we would urge people to come forward with any information they have about drug dealing or criminality in their area.”
The Eyes Open campaign educates young people and their parents and carers about the dangers of grooming, exploitation, and the deceptive tactics used by county lines gangs. Read more on how to spot the signs of exploitation linked to drug dealing and theEyes Open campaign, introduced by Merseyside Violence Reduction Partnership here: www.eyes-open.co.uk
Anyone with information on suspected drug supply should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also report information via the website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.
Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously. In an emergency always call 999.