Man, 44, charged following County Lines operation in Aberdeenshire and Merseyside

A man has been arrested and charged by police following a County Lines operation carried out across the north-east and Merseyside.

Officers arrested the 44-year-old after searches at five properties across Aberdeen, Liverpool and Tarves in Aberdeenshire on Tuesday, June 25.

During the searches, heroin with an estimated street value of around £9,000 and approximately £15,000 in cash was recovered.

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The man is due to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Thursday, June 27.

Detective Sergeant Sam Harris said: "We are committed to working with local and national partners to support those who are vulnerable and tackle serious and organised crime.

"This investigation underlines our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country's Serious Organised Crime Strategy."

Inspector Stephen Morris from Merseyside Police added: "Merseyside Police, through Project Medusa, regularly deploys to other force areas to target county lines, and this joint investigation with Police Scotland shows our commitment to tackling serious and organised crime across borders.

"We will continue to relentlessly target those crime groups who cowardly exploit vulnerable people in our communities."