Five people charged with drugs related offences following raids in Deeside and Chester

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Five people have been charged with drugs related offences following a series of dawn raids in Chester and North Wales.

Clive Minshull, 48, Christopher Hutt, 53, Christopher Higginson, 46, Carlena Minshull, 20, and Paula Minshull, 50, all appeared at Chester Magistrates Court this morning, Wednesday 29 April, charged with conspiracy to supply Class B drugs (Amphetamines) in Cheshire and Flintshire over a 2 year period.

Clive, Carlena and Paula Minshull were also charged with offences relating to Proceeds of Crime act.

Clive Minshull, Hutt, Higginson and Carlena Minshull were all remanded in remanded in custody and are due to appear  at Chester Crown Court on May 12 2015.

Paula Minshull was released on unconditional bail and will also appear at Chester Crown Court on May 12 2015.

Three other people who were arrested during the raids on Tuesday 28 April have been released on police bail pending further investigation.

Original Story

Eight people have been arrested this morning following a series of dawn raids across Chester and North Wales.

The four men and four women have all been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class B drugs, and are all currently being held in Police Custody.

More than 50 officers from both Cheshire and North Wales Police were involved in the operation which took place at 5.00am this morning, Tuesday 28 April, at addresses in Deeside, Blacon and Chester city centre.

The raids were all carried out as part of Operation ImpACT, the campaign launched by Cheshire Police to crackdown on illegal drugs.

Superintendent Paul Williams from the Western area command team said

The strike phase this morning is the culmination of many months of work focusing on a number of individuals suspected of being involved in illegal drugs.

“Operation ImpACT reinforces the commitment that Cheshire Police have in targeting those people that undermine our communities and bring misery to residents through their involvement in organised crime and illegal drugs.

“This sort of behaviour can have a major impact on local communities. It is an issue the force takes extremely seriously and we devote all the resources we can to tracing those responsible and disrupting their behaviour.”

The majority of the warrants have been carried out as a result of information that has been passed on by the local community

Following the execution of the warrants local neighbourhood officers are carrying out high-visibility patrols to offer reassurance to local residents.

Superintendent Williams added :

“Information from members of the public is vital in the fight against drug related crime and I urge anyone with any information in relation to drug use and supply in their area to get in touch on 101 so we can work together to help make our communities safer.”

Picture credit: ITV (stock image)