ALLEGED members of a drugs gang whose activities are said to have spanned several counties in North Wales, Shropshire and Merseyside have appeared in court.

On Wednesday morning (March 29) a series of drugs warrants were carried out by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit operational team, supported by officers from Merseyside Police, North Wales Police and West Mercia Police.

Three men and one woman from North Wales, three men and one woman from Shropshire, and three men from Merseyside were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A and B drugs.

The activity, codenamed Operation Arch, is an investigation into a County Lines drug supply running from Merseyside into the Denbighshire and Wrexham areas of North Wales.

Throughout Thursday, the defendants made their initial appearance at Mold Magistrates Court, where each spoke only to confirm their name and details.

Of the 11 defendants, all but one were remanded in custody.

They will all appear at Mold Crown Court on April 28 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.