Seven charged as police continue huge investigation into ‘drug gangs’

Police have charged seven people as part of an ongoing investigation into the supply of class A drugs in East Lancashire.

Yesterday (July 3), police revealed that they made some arrests in Rossendale and Rochdale as part of the ongoing investigation.

Seven of those arrested have been charged and were due to appear at Blackburn Magistrates’ Court this morning (Thursday, July 4)

They are:

• James Kiely, 28, of Acre View Bacup. Conspiracy to supply class A and B and money laundering.

• Daryl Kiely, 36, Hammerton Green, Bacup. Conspiracy to supply class A and B and money laundering.

• Dylan Traynor-Lomax, 26, Staghills Road, Rossendale. Conspiracy to supply Class A and B.

• Jamie Hackett, 38, Primrose Street, Bacup. Conspiracy to supply Class A and B.

• Gary Taylor, 31, Westminster Street, Rochdale. Conspiracy to supply Class A and B.

• Adam Herba Whinfield, 29, Blackthorn Lane, Bacup. Conspiracy to supply Class A and B.

• Jodie Bradley, 34, Birch Street, Bacup. Conspiracy to supply Class A and B.

Two others, a woman aged 27, from Bacup and a man aged 57 from Bacup, have been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Police also appealed for help to find three other people we wanted to speak to and one of those has now been arrested. James West, 30, of Bacup is currently in custody.

Police are still looking for Frankie Taylor, 32, of Booth Crescent, Waterfoot; and Anthony McKenna, 37, of Newchurch Road, Stacksteads.

DCI John Roy, of East CID, said: “While we have now secured charges our work is very much ongoing, and we will continue to target those involved in drug supply in our communities.

"I want to thank the community for their continued support and cooperation, and I hope that seeing these results encourages them to continue to report suspicious activity, either directly to the police or anonymously to Crimestoppers.

“These gangs’ prey on the vulnerable, including children, and exploit them at will, often leaving their victims with devastating long-term consequences."

If you believe that someone may be involved in drugs activity in your area, you can report it to police by calling 101.

Alternatively, you can report it via the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or report your concerns anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org. If you think someone is in immediate danger, call 999.