A CROSS border operation targeting serious and organised criminals has resulted in 16 arrests after search warrants were executed across North Wales and Merseyside today (September 5).

Supt Mark Pierce, of North Wales Police, said: “This morning officers from North Wales Police supported by colleagues from Merseyside have executed 24 search warrants across North Wales and in areas of Liverpool and Scotland.

The purpose of this morning’s coordinated action is to directly target serious and organised crime groups distributing class A drugs throughout our force area and in line with the force’s vision of making North Wales the safest place in the UK.”

“Our commitment to keeping our communities safe remains a priority and I’m sure today’s action will reassure many.

"I’d like to thank the communities in Flintshire, Conwy, Anglesey, Liverpool and Scotland for their patience, understanding and support whilst the operation unfolds.”

“Distribution of controlled drugs will not be tolerated and we will continue to take positive, robust action, however we can’t tackle this alone and key to all our work is intelligence. I cannot emphasise enough the importance of the community sharing their concerns with us. Sometimes that takes a little time to turn into visible action so please bear with us.

"We are listening and we will act when the time is right.”

Information can be passed to Police direct via the web live chat http://www.north-wales.police.uk/contact/chat-support.aspx or by phoning 101. If you’d rather pass information anonymously then phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.