Current timestamp: 20/03/2023 18:48:43
AgeAlertAnonymousAppealsApplicationsApply Or RegisterArea OutlineArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow UpAutomatic DoorsBack ArrowBusinessCalendarCashArrow DownArrow LeftArrow RightArrow Down[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-chrome' for 'English (United Kingdom)']ClockCloseContactDirectionsDocumentDownloadDrawDrugExpandExternal LinkFacebookFb CommentFb LikeFiletype DefaultFiletype DocFiletype PdfFiletype PptFiletype XlsFinance[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-firefox' for 'English (United Kingdom)']First AidFlickrFraudGive FeedbackGlobeGuide DogHealthHearing ImpairedInduction LoopInfoInstagramIntercom[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-internet-explorer' for 'English (United Kingdom)']LaptopLiftLinkedinLocal ActivityLoudspeakerLow CounterMailMapMap PinMembershipMenuMenu 2[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-microsoft-edge' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Missing PeopleMobility ImpairmentNationalityNorth PointerOne Mile RadiusOverviewPagesPaper PlaneParkingPdfPhonePinterestPlayPushchairRefreshReportRequestRestart[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-rotate-clockwise' for 'English (United Kingdom)']Rss[Missing text '/SvgIcons/Symbols/Titles/icon-safari' for 'English (United Kingdom)']SearchShareSign LanguageSnapchatStart AgainStatsStats And Prevention AdviceStopSubscribeTargetTattosTell Us AboutTickTumblrTwenty Four HoursTwitterTwitter LikeTwitter ReplyTwitter RetweetUploadVisually ImpairedWhatsappWheelchairWheelchair AssistedWheelchair ParkingWheelchair RampWheelchair WcYoutubeZoom InZoom Out

Quickly exit this site by pressing the Escape key Leave this site

Skip to main content

Skip to main navigation

Welcome

This site is a beta, which means it's a work in progress and we'll be adding more to it over the next few weeks. Your feedback helps us make things better, so please let us know what you think.

Show me the site

cheshire-header-logo ( 1)

Search this website

Main navigation menu

  • Report

    Back to Report

    • Crime
    • Domestic abuse
    • Rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences
    • Road traffic incident
    • Report antisocial behaviour
    • Missing person
    • Fraud, bribery or corruption
    • Civil disputes
    • Lost or found property
    • Lost or stolen vehicles
  • Tell us about

    Back to Tell us about

    • Tell us about possible terrorist activity
    • How to tell us about something you've seen or heard
    • An existing case or report
    • A procession or event you are planning
    • Filming
    • Abnormal vehicle load
  • Apply or register

    Back to Apply or register

    • Careers
    • Charity collection licences
    • Compensation for victims of crime
    • Firearm, shotgun or explosives certificate
    • Attend a misconduct hearing
  • Request

    Back to Request

    • A collision report
    • Intellectual property (IP) licence
    • Your fingerprints
    • Information: about the police, about yourself or someone else
  • Thanks and complaints

    Back to Thanks and complaints

    • Complaints
    • Say thanks
    • Feedback about the website
  • Your area

Breadcrumb

  1. ...
  2. News

Gang responsible for supplying crack cocaine and heroin in Ellesmere Port jailed

Main article content

Navigation

News

11:08 14/04/2021

Michael Birch.jpgA gang responsible for supplying crack cocaine and heroin of an estimated street value of £182,000 in Ellesmere Port have been jailed.

Led by Michael Birch, 53, of Forge Road in Little Sutton, the gang of four were known as the ‘Birchy Team’.

Over several months Birch directed street dealers Ryan Huckle, Macauley Smith, Gary Beck to deal heroin and crack cocaine to users across the town.

When officers raided Birch’s home on 11 February, ‘graft’ phones used to sell drugs were discovered along with scales, £740 in cash, a cutting agent for heroin and lists of numbers for addicts in the area.

He was subsequently arrested along with Smith who was seen coming away from the address on Forge Road.

Smith was found to be in possession of £1,580 of crack cocaine and £960 of heroin. He also had a list of customers which matched the list found at Birch’s address.

Following analysis it was found that the phone discovered was linked to three other graft numbers which had been active since November 2020. Further evidence found that these phones belonged to Huckle, Beck and Smith.

The gang were arrested and subsequently charged before all pleading guilty at earlier hearings.

Birch and Smith were sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 1 April with Birch being handed a five year jail term while Smith received 28 months imprisonment.

Huckle was sentenced on 16 February to 27 months for possession with intent to supply crack cocaine while Gary Beck was jailed for 42 months for possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin on 7 January.

Detective Constable Roy Wellings of the Ellesmere Port Beat Initiative Team said: “This gang was one of the busiest and largest heroin and crack cocaine supply team in Ellesmere Port at the time of operation.

“I welcome the sentencing handed down by the courts and hope that it acts as a deterrent to those who believe that they can get away with illegal drug activity in our town.

“We will continue to work tirelessly and do everything in our power to remove gangs like this from our streets to hope bring an end to the misery drugs bring to local communities.

“I would urge anyone with any concerns about illegal drug activity in their community to get in touch with Cheshire Police on 101.”

Share

Is there a problem with this page?

Footer navigation

We use cookies on this site to give you a better, more personalised experience.

I'm fine with cookies I'd like to manage the cookies

Cheshire Constabulary

  • Contact us
  • Find a police station
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Campaigns
  • News
  • Privacy notice
  • Cookies
  • Terms and conditions
  • Accessibility

Information and services

  • Advice and information
  • Crime prevention
  • Stats and data
  • Accessing information (FOI)
  • Report
  • Tell us about
  • Apply or register
  • Request
  • Thanks and complaints

Partners

  • Police.uk
  • Ask the Police
  • Police and Crime Commissioner

Follow us on:

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved.