The rival criminal gangs that operate on Merseyside are often "using the same trusted contacts" in order to buy cocaine from South America's notorious drug cartels.

Jailed drug baron Curtis Warren was said to have made millions in the 80s by having a direct relationship with the cartels in Colombia.

But the ECHO spoke with a senior police officer this week who said the landscape for Liverpool criminals has very much changed.

She spoke about the full implications of the EncroChat hack, which allowed detectives to read the messages between some of the country's more notorious crime bosses and factions.

The National Crime Agency has said the messaging service was used by criminals to sell guns, drugs and organise violence.

The international police operation has led to waves of raids across the country, which led to police seizing drugs and firearms.

Cont'd:
https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/missing-link-between-liverpool-gangs-18657289