Winsford drug dealer jailed as part of county lines crackdown

A man responsible for bringing class A drugs from Liverpool into Northwich and Winsford has been jailed.

Christopher Pope was arrested on Wednesday 21 April after officers taking part in a crackdown on county lines drug dealing stopped his grey Ford Focus on Northwich Road, Dutton.

When being searched by officers the 38-year-old disclosed that he had drugs hidden in his buttocks.

Pope was arrested at the scene on suspicion of possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Officers subsequently searched his home on Catalan Close, Winsford where they recovered more drugs from his wardrobe which were packaged up ready to sell.

In total officers recovered 48 wraps of crack cocaine and 10 wraps of heroin. The drugs were believed to be valued at almost £600.

Pope was charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs and pleaded guilty to the charges at Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Friday 23 April.

On Friday 21 May he appeared at Chester Crown Court where he was sentenced to two years and four months in prison.

Following his sentencing Sergeant David Christmas, of Northwich Local Policing Unit, said:  “It is clear that Pope was an established dealer who was responsible for bringing drugs from Liverpool to sell on in the Winsford and Northwich areas.

“Not only was he in possession of class A drugs at the time of his arrest, but he also had more drugs hidden at his home in Winsford.

“Thankfully, following our stop check, we have been able to seize these drugs and prevent them from being sold on our streets.

“While this case is now closed our crackdown on county lines remains ongoing and we will continue to do all we can to bring to justice those responsible for the sale of illegal drugs in our communities.”

Chief Inspector Gary Smith, of Northwich Local Policing Unit, added: “Illegal drugs have a hugely detrimental impact and I want to reassure residents that we are relentless in our pursuit of those involved in the supply of such drugs.

“As part of this fight information from the public is vital 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.