Man, 63, in £1.8m drug bust

Jun 25 2009 by Mark Johnson, Skelmersdale Advertiser

A SKELMERSDALE man was brought before JPs after police busted a suspected cocaine factory being run from a high-rise flat.

John Humphreys, 63, of Firbeck, Skelmersdale, was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to supply and appeared with two co-defendants at Knowsley Magistrates’ Court on Monday (June 22) morning.

During the bust officers discovered 30kg of uncut cocaine in the flat in Gaywood Green Heights, Southdene, Kirkby, when they raided the property on Sunday.

Executing a warrant under the Misuse of Drug Act, anti-drugs squad, Hawk Unite, smashed the door down and confronted three men allegedly in the process of cutting and packaging the powder.

It is estimated that the seizure had a street value more than £1.8m.

A mixing machine, a vacuum sealing machine, drug bags, scales and an industrial hydraulic press were also found at the property.

The warrant was executed at a Knowsley Housing Trust home, and the housing association will be taking tenancy proceedings to evict the tenants.