Current timestamp: 22/03/2023 03:29:10
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

Crackdown continues against serious and organised crime in Ellesmere Port

Main article content

Navigation

News

09:40 01/06/2021

Following the conclusion of the national county lines week of action officers in Ellesmere Port have been looking back on a successful year in the continued fight against serious and organised crime.

Over the past 12 months the work of all the officers from Ellesmere Port Local Policing Unit, with support from Cheshire’s Serious and Organised Crime Unit, has resulted in the conviction of at least 34 people, who between them have been sentenced to almost 135 years in prison.

These included 16 men convicted as part of Operation Olympia an investigation into an organised crime gang responsible for the large-scale supply of class A drugs.

The gang, led by Mark Cavanagh, of Foxdene in Ellesmere Port, were sentenced to a total of 55 years and 11 months in prison for supplying crack cocaine and heroin with an estimated street value of £1.8m in Ellesmere Port and Chester.

Meanwhile, in April, four men who were members of the ‘Birchy Gang’ were jailed for a total of 13 years after they were convicted of supplying crack cocaine and heroin with an estimated street value of £182,000.

As well as the larger organised crime gangs, other complex investigations led by the team have resulted in the conviction of at least 14 men and women who were responsible for the supply or production of illegal drugs in the Ellesmere Port and Neston area.

These 14 individuals were sentenced to more than 50 years behind bars.

Chief Inspector Ian Stead, who is in charge of policing in Ellesmere Port, said: “I’m extremely proud of what the team here at Ellesmere Port LPU have achieved over the past 12 months and I have no doubt that their work has made a real difference in helping to improve the lives of local residents.

“This has been a real team effort, with great collaboration between the detectives leading the investigations and the officers and police community support officers out on the front line helping to gather the intelligence.

“I’m also grateful for the support provided by the officers in our Serious and Organised Crime Unit – their assistance has been vital.

“But most of all I would like to say a big thank you to the people of Ellesmere Port and Neston. It is only with your continued support, and the information that you have provided, that we have been able to achieve what we have done over the past 12 months.”

On top of all the convictions already secured, the fight against serious and organised crime is continuing.

This includes Kyle Arathoon, who was arrested after the execution of a search warrant in Ellesmere Port on 9 April. The 19-year-old has since pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply and possession with intent to supply cocaine, cannabis and ketamine and possession of a S5 firearm. He is due to be sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Monday 21 June

Under Operation Pitchfork, four men have been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs, as part of an operation led by the Serious and Organised Crime Unit. They are all due to appear at Chester Crown Court for a plea hearing on Friday 11 June.

Meanwhile, another five men are also set to appear at Chester Crown Court for a plea hearing on Friday 11 June charged with conspiracy to supply heroin and crack cocaine. The men were all arrested as part of Operation Touchdown, which involved a series of warrants in Ellesmere Port, Liverpool and North Wales executed by the Ellesmere Port Beat Initiative Team.

Local officers have also been working hard identifying and engaging with vulnerable adults who may be targeted and educating children who may be at risk of being coerced into the criminal underworld.

CI Stead added:  “We must not be complacent and we will continue to work with the public and our partner agencies who have all played a vital role in supporting us to remove these individuals who cause harm to our communities. This partnerships approach means we can gather vital information to identify and deal with these criminals.

“Our work is ongoing and that we are committed to doing all we can to continue to make Ellesmere Port a really hostile place for those involved in serious and organised crime.

“The message is clear – if you come to Ellesmere Port to commit crime, you will be caught and you will be brought to justice.”

John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said:  “Serious and organised crime can blight our communities and I am grateful for the work that the team at Ellesmere Port have done over the past 12 months.

“I hope to see this work continue and I will be highlighting the need to tackle these types of offences in my new Police and Crime Plan in order to make our communities safer.

“I am also committed to funding crime prevention initiatives to prevent vulnerable young people and adults engaging in county lines activity.”

If you have information relating to serious and organised crime taking place in your community please contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or Cheshire Police by calling 101.

For more information about serious and organised crime please visit the Cheshire Police website.

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.