A Grappenhall couple have been charged with conspiracy to supply a
Class A Controlled drug after police seized 80kg of cocaine with an
estimated
street value of £12m.
The couple Richard Brookhouse, aged 45 , and Diane Brookhouse aged 41, from Coronation Drive, Grappenhall, Warrington, were part of a group of eight people arrested following the drugs haul, which is the largest uncovered by the Titan North West Regional Organised Crime Unit since it was set up in 2008.
The drugs were recovered in a van which was stopped in Chelmsford, Essex, on Saturday afternoon.
Two men from Urmston, Greater Manchester, were arrested at the scene and intelligence led to raids being carried out across the North West.
Five men and a woman were later arrested on the same charge as the men from Urmston – suspicion of the importation of class A controlled drugs. All remain in police custody for questioning.
Head of Operations for Titan, Det Supt Jason Hudson, said: “This continues our ongoing efforts to tackle the top echelon of organised criminals in the North West.”
Police forces in Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cheshire helped the unit with the raids.
The Grappenhall couple were arrested in Kirkham, Lancashire, and Runcorn, Cheshire respectively.
A 52-year-old man was arrested in Partington, Greater Manchester; A 30-year-old man was arrested in Aintree, Merseyside; A 36-year-old man was arrested in Halewood, Merseyside and a 46-year-old man was arrested in Urmston, Greater Manchester.
