Paula white has been charged with conspiracy to supply drugs and money laundering
Paula White has been charged with conspiracy to supply drugs and money laundering

A former director of Chester City FC is one of eight people charged as part of the biggest-ever crackdown on selling mephedrone in the UK.

Paula White, 44, a former director of the now defunct Chester City FC and Widnes Rugby League club, was one of 12 people arrested by Greater Manchester Police by officers investigating online selling of the party drug, also known as m-cat or meow meow.

Police seized 313kg (690lb) worth more than £3.8m during raids at 11 addresses in the Bury and Salford areas of Greater Manchester.

White, who was also the former director of an alcohol retailer as well as media and leisure businesses, was charged with conspiracy to supply Class A, B and C drugs and two counts of money laundering.

A £120,000 Aston Martin was seized from her home in Eccles as part of the operation.

Seven other people have been charged with conspiracy to supply class A, B and C drugs with one other also charged with money laundering.

All eight are due to appear before Bolton magistrate's court.

Police say the raids came after an probe into the website which was run from an address in Bolton and offered the drugs for sale. The site has since been closed down.

Mephedrone was legal to buy but not to consume until 2010.

Following an outcry and warnings about dangers it posed, it is now illegal to supply or to be in possession of mephedrone under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.