UFC vet Paul Kelly arrested on drug offences after police raids

Three men were charged with drug offences last night after raids across Merseyside including UFC vet Paul Kelly.

Cannabis plants were recovered from three West Derby addresses while drugs believed to be heroin were found at a house in Aigburth.

The cash was discovered in houses raided in Old Swan and Melling and ammunition was found in a West Derby property.

Christopher McGirr, 27, of Carina Court, Aigburth, and Paul Kelly, 27, of Swanside Road, Knotty Ash, were charged with conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.

Paul Rogers, 27, of Smithford Walk, Roby, was charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

All three men were held in custody and were due to appear at Liverpool magistrates court this morning.

A 23-year-old woman also arrested in Carina Court on suspicion of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply; a 34-year-old man arrested in Willsford Avenue, Melling, on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs; a 53-year-old man arrested in Town Row, West Derby, on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs and suspicion of possession of ammunition; and a 50-year-old man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs were all bailed pending further inquiries.

Fourteen search warrants were executed at around 7am yesterday.

Det Insp Mark Kameen, who is leading the Matrix investigation, said: “This operation was part of our ongoing crackdown on criminals involved in the illegal drugs trade.

“Drugs blight our communities and fuel other serious crime.

“These arrests demonstrate the importance of the community supplying us with information so we can take action.”

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