Explosive device found at flat after police raid

BBC
·1 min read
file image of Ellis Place
The device was found following a raid in Ellis Place, Liverpool [Google]

An explosive was found at a flat after a street was evacuated, police have confirmed.

Merseyside Police said an "improvised explosive device" was found following a raid in Ellis Place, Liverpool, after a bomb disposal team attended on Friday afternoon.

It was moved to New Brighton where a controlled explosion took place.

Flats and businesses around Ellis Place were evacuated but residents were later allowed to return.

Men charged

Police later revealed the raid was part of Operation Toxic, a national effort to tackle drug dealing and child exploitation.

A 21-year-old man from Liverpool was arrested and charged with being concerned in the supply of cocaine and heroin, and possession of drugs and criminal property.

A second man, 22, also from the city, was charged with possession of an explosive substance, possession with intent to sell crack cocaine and cannabis, possession of criminal property and concerning the supply of cannabis resin.

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