Eight charged after cocaine seized in Liverpool

8 May 2025 03:11 PM

Eight people have been charged after suspected cocaine was seized by officers from a specialist crime team in Merseyside.

Officers from the Organised Crime Partnership – a joint investigation team comprised of Merseyside Police and National Crime Agency officers - carried out strikes at addresses in Liverpool, Sefton and Southport on 6 and 7 May.

The officers recovered around five kilos of a substance which, after initial testing, is suspected to be cocaine.

Officers arrested six men and two women, who were last night charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

The eight, due to appear at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today [8 May], are:

• Paul Lockyer, 42, of Selworthy Road, Birkdale, Southport;
• James Neary, 56, of Grey Street, Bootle, Sefton;
• Paul McArdle, 33, of Buckfast Close, Netherton;
• Lee Nugent, 45, of Church Road, Waterloo, Liverpool;
• Stephen Lynch, 37, of Keene Court, Netherton, Liverpool;
• Christopher Horrocks, 45, of Buckley Hill Lane, Sefton, Liverpool;
• Julie McCafferty, 43, of Church Road, Waterloo, Liverpool;
• Michelle Higgins, 38, of Clocktower Drive, Liverpool.

Detective Chief Inspector Lynsay Armbruster, of the Organised Crime Partnership, said:

“This operation has ensured that suspected cocaine has been removed from the streets of Merseyside. Class A drugs cause significant harm to people and communities, and Merseyside Police and the NCA remain steadfast in preventing its supply.”