Five charged in drugs and money laundering investigation

Five people arrested yesterday following a series of raids as part of Operation Jennet have now been charged.

Daniel Thornber, 37, of Dingle Avenue, and Reece Fletcher, 23, of Lyncroft Crescent, were charged with conspiracy to supply Class A cocaine.

Elaine Jackson, 56, and Ricky Jackson, 51 of Mardale Avenue, and Matthew Evans, 33, of Peter Street, were charged with money laundering.

They are due to appear in court on April 12.

They are the latest in a string of arrests made as part of the operation to clean up organised crime in Blackpool.

In February, 13 people were arrested and later charged with drugs offences by police following raids in Blackpool, Kirkham, and Manchester as part of Operation Jennet.

Seven more people were charged last week after raids on nine Blackpool and Fleetwood properties.

Detective Chief Inspector Becky Smith said: “We are committed to tackling organised crime groups working in the county and in particular, on the Fylde coast. These latest arrests send out a clear message to those involved in organised crime. Organised crime, including the production and supply of drugs, the violence which controls this market and how it impacts on vulnerable people, blights our communities and puts ordinary law-abiding people at risk.

“I would like to reassure the public we will keep up the pressure on those involved in serious and organised crime in Lancashire, continually striving to protect the most vulnerable. We will relentlessly pursue these offenders and put them before the courts to make our streets safer.”

A man aged 32 and a woman aged 28 both from Blackpool were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and money laundering. They have been released under investigation.

Anyone who suspects drugs being dealt in their area can contact police on 101. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.