Police charge 18 people in Lancashire-wide drugs investigation with links to luxury Marbella mansion

Lancashire Police launched Operation Florence following concerns raised by residents in Darwen about drug use by children and that youngsters were being exploited into supplying illegal substances after getting into debt.

In May and June, warrants were executed at 25 addresses ­– including homes in Darwen, Blackburn and Northwich, Cheshire, where a large quantity of suspected cocaine and cannabis was recovered.

Officers also seized a number of vehicles and weapons including knives and a knuckleduster.

A firearm has also been discovered at a mansion in Marbella (pictured) after Spanish police raided the villa as part of the investigation into the suspected Lancashire drug gang.

Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, 18 people have been charged as part of the investigation.

They all appeared at Blackburn Magistrates' Court earlier this month.

The following 9 people have been charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine and conspiracy to supply cannabis.

- Usman Akhter, 36, Tariq Ajaib, 49, and Craig Hollins, 47, all of Sarah Street, Darwen

- Ardit Prahmnai, 21, of Astbury Close, Darwen

- Liam Parker, 27, of Atlas Street, Darwen

- Rory Compton, 29, of Ash Grove, Darwen

- James Burrows, 21, of Plantation Road, Blackburn

- Joseph Ginley, 35, of Milking Lane, Darwen

- Mark Jeal, 36, of Pilmuir Road, Blackburn

The following 5 people have been charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis.

- Samuel Howard, 24, and Clare Lester, 24 - both of Duckworth Street, Darwen

- Nico Moorby, 26, of Petre Wood Crescent, Langho

- Jack Beeke, 27, of Church Terrace, Darwen

- Michael Ryan Young, 29, of Alexandra Mews, Blackburn

Gail Pilling, 42, of Derwent Road, Darwen, is charged with being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

Ellis Gorman, 26, of Holden Fold, Darwen, is charged with conspiracy to supply cocaine

Augustine McDonagh, 32, of Bobbin Close, Accrington, is charged with conspiracy to commit damage and being concerned in the supply of cannabis

Ben Stones, 21, of Cavendish Road, Darwen, has been charged with handling stolen goods.

Sgt Stu Peall, from the East Exploitation Team, said: "We are committed to tackling and disrupting drug-dealing activity and protecting vulnerable members of society.

"This operation was launched directly on the back of concerns raised by members of the public and I would encourage anyone concerned about criminal activity in their area to contact the police, knowing that we will act on that information and take the appropriate action."

A 21-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of importing cannabis and a 21-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of money laundering have been released under investigation.

Anyone with concerns about drug-dealing or any other criminal activity in their area can call police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted, in confidence, on 0800 555111.