Officers from two England police departments joined forces in a series of raids which resulted in the arrest of 13 people suspected of smuggling drugs.

The arrests came after a six-month-long investigation carried out by the Cheshire and the Merseyside police departments.

A total of 200 officers from Cheshire Police – supported by Merseyside Police – targeted eleven addresses in Runcorn, one in Widnes, and two addresses in Merseyside, the Cheshire Police said in a statement obtained by Newsflash.

The high-level bust, in which 11 suspects were arrested, occurred on Wednesday morning, 14th December.

Two other people were arrested after being produced from prison, the Cheshire Police said.

In total, 13 unnamed people, aged between 20 and 52, who are reportedly suspected of conspiring to supply crack cocaine and heroin, were taken into custody and are being further investigated.

The arrests came after a six-month investigation led by detectives into a county lines organised crime group (OCG) operating in and around the Runcorn area.

Chief Inspector Andy Blizard, from Runcorn Local Policing Unit, said:

“This morning’s operation focused on individuals who are suspected of being part of serious and organised crime known to the public as county lines.

“The action we have taken today is part of our dedication and commitment in protecting our community and ensuring Cheshire is and always will be a place of hostility towards people who cross into our borders to commit crime.”