ELEVEN Ellesmere Port people and a Manchester man have appeared in court charged with drug offences following an operation targeting organised crime.

The nine men and three women appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on the afternoon of Friday, February 28.

Christopher Beattie, 31, of Sutton Way in Great Sutton, has been charged with conspiracy to import cannabis and two counts of possession with intent to supply cannabis.

Zoe Beattie, 28, of Parklands View in Little Sutton, has been charged with conspiracy to import cannabis and money laundering.

Billy Dodd, 22, of Grappenhall Road in Great Sutton, has been charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Martin Ellis, 57, of Marlborough Road in Ellesmere Port, has been charged with conspiracy to import cannabis, conspiracy to supply cannabis and money laundering.

Christy Foster, 21, of Grappenhall Road in Great Sutton, has been charged with conspiracy to import cannabis, concerned in the supply of cocaine and concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Carla Hancock, 31, of Rostherne Avenue in Great Sutton, has been charged with money laundering.

Raymond Holding, 40, of Parklands View in Great Sutton, has been charged with conspiracy to import cannabis, conspiracy to supply cannabis and money laundering.

Robert Parsonage, 30, of Rostherne Avenue in Great Sutton, has been charged with concerned in the supply of cocaine, concerned in the supply of cannabis and money laundering.

Andrew Paul, 47, of Milton Road in Ellesmere Port, has been charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Ryan Pimbblet, 23, of Fulwood Gardens in Little Sutton, has been charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Kevin Smith, 44, of Tarvin Close in Ellesmere Port, has been charged with conspiracy to import cannabis and money laundering.

Lloyd Spencer, 36, of Hawkeshead Road in Manchester has been charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis.

They are next due to appear at Chester Crown Court on Friday, March 27.

The charges relate to a complex investigation in connection with a serious and organised crime operation involving the importation and supply of cannabis and cocaine.