Mersey police raid nets ‘significant’ firearms haul

Sep 27 2007 by Caroline Innes, Liverpool Daily Post

THE supply of fire-arms into Merseyside has been disrupted by the seizure of 11 guns from a semi-detached house in Haydock, police said last night.

The seven semi automatic pistols, three revolvers and another firearm were seized in Avery Square, Haydock, along with seven silencers, and approximately 500 rounds of ammunition.

A large quantity of what is believed to be cannabis resin – around 20 to 30kgs with an estimated street value of more than £30,000 – and cash was also recovered in the raid, on Tuesday night.

Two men, a 30-year-old from Haydock and a 42-year-old from Ashton-in-Makerfield, have been arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms and taken to police stations on Merseyside where they are being questioned.

Chief Superintendent Tony Doherty, Force Operations, described the seizure as a “significant” find.

“We know there is a limited supply of guns on Merseyside and this is a major coup against those involved in the supply of firearms,” he said.

“We will continue with a determination to target those offenders who wish to supply other criminals with firearms thereby endangering the life and safety of all our communities. I believe it is important to make the whole of Merseyside a hostile environment for criminals involved in this type of offence.”