Stockport cops arrest four and seize drugs, cash, firearms and designer handbags

A number of people from Stockport have been arrested in relation to a drugs conspiracy following the decryption of the EncroChat network.

Yesterday (12 August 2021) six drugs and evidence warrants were carried out across Stockport, Macclesfield and Wilmslow by GMP Stockport's Challenger team, Cheshire Constabulary and the National Crime Agency.

These warrants came as part of Operation Mosnov, an investigation into a drugs conspiracy following the decryption of the Encro-network which meant officers were able to mine data from servers and gather evidence.

Following these warrants, three women - aged 31, 34, and 48 - and a 55-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of drug and money laundering offences.  All four have been released pending further investigation.

A number of drugs including class A and class B have been recovered as well as a quantity of cash, designer handbags, watches and imitation firearms.

Constable Joel Murphy, of GMP Stockport's Challenger team, said: "These warrants are the result of a year of hard work by our dedicated team of officers who have spent countless hours analysing evidence, conducting observations and reviewing CCTV footage.

"Organised crime has a devastating lasting impact on communities and we're committed to working with local policing partners and the National Crime Agency to ensure that criminals do not profit from this type of illicit behaviour."