More than 70kgs of heroin was seized in a massive drugs bust by a specialist investigation team set up to target Merseyside's biggest crime networks.
The heroin - valued at around £7m - was found in raids carried out at two addresses as officers swooped this week.
Three men have been charged with drugs offences in connection with the operation.
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Officers from the National Crime Agency, often dubbed the UK's FBI, searched an address in Thatto Heath on Tuesday night and uncovered 45kgs of heroin.
A separate address in Huyton was then searched and a further 28kgs of suspected heroin was found.
Three men have now been charged with conspiracy to supply Class A drugs - Eric Edwards, 41 and of Dickens Street, St Helens; Anthony Carroll, 38 and of Deepfield Drive, Huyton; and Anthony Sutherland, 46 and of Moorcroft Road, Huyton.
A 49-year old woman has been released under investigation.
The raids were launched by the Organised Crime Partnership, a specialist collaboration project between the NCA and Merseyside Police.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Speight said: “We have successfully removed a large quantity of dangerous drugs from a crime group depriving them of profits that would be ploughed back into further offending.
“These drugs are hugely damaging to our communities, they go hand in hand with organised criminals bringing intimidation, violence and fear into our neighbourhoods.
“We will not tolerate drugs and the OCP will take action to make Merseyside a safer place to live.
“I would urge anyone who has any information about who is supplying or selling drugs to contact us so we can continue to remove any drugs from streets across Merseyside.”
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