Class A drugs dealer jailed following a stop and search in Macclesfield

A class A drugs dealer has been jailed as a result of officers stopping and searching him in Macclesfield.

Shortly before 4pm on Monday 15 March plain-clothed officers on patrol witnessed Christopher Bridger acting suspiciously in an area of the town that addicts are known to go to in order to buy drugs.

After witnessing the 26-year-old conversing with known drug users and a coming together of hands, the officers stopped and searched Bridger.

He had in his possession a small quantity of cannabis bush, £765 in cash and two mobile phones.

Bridger was arrested, and subsequent enquiries revealed that he had a drugs debt and was dealing heroin and crack cocaine.

He was subsequently charged with two counts of being concerned in the supply of the class A drugs.

He was also charged with possession of class B drug cannabis and possession of criminal property, in relation to the money he had on him when he was searched.

Bridger, of Copster Hill Road in Oldham, Greater Manchester, pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday 14 April.

He was jailed for 2,045 days, which is is a day over five-and-a-half years.

Detective Sergeant Angie Coppock, of Macclesfield Local Policing Unit’s county lines team, said: “Christopher Bridger was travelling into Cheshire from his home in Oldham in Greater Manchester to sell class A drugs.

“He has been brought to justice as a result of officers out on patrol seeing him act suspiciously in an area of Macclesfield that we know to be a hotspot for drug deals.

“They stopped and searched Bridger, and a subsequent investigation revealed the extent of his offending.

“Bridger has previous convictions for dealing class A drugs.

“The court took that into consideration when sentencing him.

“I hope that this case and the sentence that has been imposed by the courts deters others from coming to Cheshire to sell illegal drugs.”

On top of his custodial sentence, Bridger was ordered to pay a £190 victim surcharge.

Chief Inspector Dave Moores, of Macclesfield LPU, said: “This case shows the importance of the police’s power to stop and search people they suspect to be breaking the law.

“As a result of our ability to stop and search Christopher Bridger, a repeat class A drugs dealer has been removed from our streets.

“These drugs cause untold damage to the lives of both those who use them and become dependent on them and the wider community who suffer from the resulting crime.

“Drug dealing in Macclesfield or elsewhere in Cheshire will not be tolerated.

“While this investigation has now concluded, our fight against illegal drugs, and those who supply them, continues.

“Intelligence supplied by members of the public is crucial to this fight and I urge anyone with any information about suspected drug related activity in their community to get in touch.

“You will be listened to and we will investigate the matter.”

You can report suspected drug dealing to Cheshire Constabulary directly by calling 101 or giving the details online via https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report.

Alternatively, information can also be given anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.