Preston and Lancaster drugs probe sees four men appear in court

Leon Mansley, 33, of Hazel Grove, Preston, is charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to conceal, transfer or remove criminal property.

Ryan Alty, 30, of Belle Field Close, Penwortham, and Sebastian Haigh, 31, of Church Brow, Lancaster are charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and cannabis, and conspiracy to conceal, transfer or remove criminal property.

All three were remanded into custody by the bench.

Co-defendant Michael Newsham, 30, of Barn Hey, Longton, is charged with possession with intent to supply a controlled drug of Class A and was granted conditional bail.

All four are now due to appear at Preston Crown Court on January 5 alongside four other accused.

They are Anthony Haynes, 57, of Tristan Avenue, Walmer Bridge, Preston, who is accused of conspiracy to supply cocaine, Ashley Haynes, 26, no fixed abode, who is accused of conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to conceal, transfer or remove criminal property, Paige Hambleton, 26, of, Mersey Street, Preston, who is charged with conspiracy to conceal, transfer or remove criminal property, and Joshua Harrison, 34, of Ingleborough Road, Lancaster who is accused of conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to conceal, transfer or remove criminal property.

The eight were charged as part of Operation Collier, which saw police carry out a number of dawn raids over the last fortnight at addresses in Preston and Lancaster.

Police said a number of people were arrested and significant quantities of cocaine and cannabis were recovered as part of the probe.

Officers say the investigation is "still very much on-going" and they will be looking to arrest and charge more people in the coming months.

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