A NORTH Wales man has been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A and Class B drugs following the seizure of cocaine in the West Midlands.

Robert McKenna, 54, of Maes Glas in Rhyl was charged with these offences alongside Peter Ginley, 32. of Heath Road in Garston, Liverpool,

Police today, July 18, confirm that both have been remanded to appear at Liverpool Magistrates Court.

Officers from Merseyside stopped a van on the M42 near Worcester and during a search they recovered three kilos of cocaine hidden in a hide within the vehicle.

With support from North Wales Police four warrants were executed at addresses in Rhyl, Aigburth and Garston and a number of items were recovered including more than £10,000 in cash, a cash counting machine and a drugs press.

The 54-year-old from the Rhyl area was arrested in connection with an ongoing drugs investigation linked to the national Operation Venetic and questioned on Merseyside

DI Lee Wilkinson said: "We are committed to protecting our communities by relentlessly targeting those who are involved in all aspects of organised crime including the distribution and supply of illegal drugs and the use of serious violence. And working together with other forces, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit and the National Crime Agency, we will continue to identify opportunities to take enforcement action to safeguard our communities and mitigate any risk of serious violence."

Detective Supt Sian Beck of North Wales Police said: “Serious and organised crime has no boundaries and today’s operation highlights the joint working between North Wales Police, Merseyside Police, North West Regional Crime Unit and the National Crime Agency and demonstrates our commitment to tackle cross border criminality.”