Published at 16:44, Wednesday, 03 October 2012

A FORMER Barrow AFC player has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs.

Andy Ferrell was arrested after a police investigation in to a suspected trafficking ring in the North East, where the ex-Bluebirds midfielder is based.

The 28-year-old was among 19 people held in a series of raids at the homes of alleged ring leaders.

He was charged with conspiracy to supply the Class B drug amphetamine between September 1, 2009, and September 20 this year.

He was also charged with conspiracy to supply the Class A drug cocaine between July 1, 2011, and September 20 this year.

Some of the alleged illegal dealings took place during Ferrell’s time at Barrow AFC, for whom he made 27 appearances and scored twice.

A Northumbria Police spokesman told the Evening Mail Ferrell was arrested on Thursday September 20 as part of an investigation into drug supply.

Nine people were arrested and six were subsequently charged.

That included Ferrell, of Adair Avenue in Newcastle.

He appeared before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on September 21. He was remanded in custody and his case was adjourned to Newcastle Crown Court until tomorrow. No plea was indicated.

Just hours before police arrested him, Ferrell had scored for his latest team, Northern League side Bedlington Terriers, in a 4-2 home win over West Auckland.

A former Newcastle United rookie, Ferrell first joined Barrow AFC on loan from Blue Square Bet Premier rivals Gateshead in March 2011.

The central midfielder played eight times and scored twice during a one-month loan stay at Holker Street, helping the Bluebirds beat the threat of relegation.

He was released by Gateshead that summer and signed a one-year contract with Barrow. The Bluebirds released Ferrell at the end of last season.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk