Four men appear in court after Wirral drug raids

May 31 2011 By Alan Weston

FIREARMS, ammunition, and drugs with an estimated street value of £1.5m were recovered after a series of raids in Wirral.

Officers from the specialist anti-gun crime Matrix team raided seven addresses in New Brighton, Wallasey, Bidston and Heswall, seizing 16.5 kilos of what is believed to be heroin with an estimated street value of £500,000 from the Wallasey address.

Between 150 and 200 kilos of cannabis with an estimated street value of around £1m was recovered, while a firearm and a substantial amount of ammunition were seized at the property in Bidston.

A further search of premises in Greater Manchester resulted in the recovery of approximately 500kg of cannabis resin with an estimated street value of £3.5m.

Six men and two women were arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply and appeared before Wirral magistrates yesterday.

Matthew Maguire, 37, of Hogarth Drive, Noctorum was charged with three counts of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.

Kim Hodgin, 25, of Tollemache Road, Bidston was charged with three counts of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs.

Derek Belshaw, 47, of Drummers Lane, Wigan was charged with conspiracy to supply controlled drugs and possession with intent to supply.

Gary Clare, 49, of The Cliff, New Brighton was charged with three counts of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs and one count of possession with intent to supply.

All four were remanded in custody until July 18.

The four other people arrested were interviewed and released on bail pending further enquiries.