Current timestamp: 08/02/2023 04:43:53
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

Men jailed after using homes as safe houses for organised crime gang

Main article content

Navigation

News

12:26 06/04/2022

Two Merseyside men are behind bars after using their homes as safe houses to store class A drugs and cash for an organised crime group.

Dale Schofield and Wayne Roberts allowed crack cocaine, heroin and cash to be stored at their premises on behalf of the gang’s ring-leader Mark Cavanagh.

photo.JPG

Cavanagh, of Foxdene, Ellesmere Port, was running an estimated £1.8m drug dealing enterprise in the Ellesmere Port and Chester areas.

The 32-year-old was operating under a county lines drugs conspiracy – using a phone line – known as a graft – to send text messages known as flares advertising the sale of crack cocaine and heroin and receiving drug purchases from local users.

The Dell line in Lache and the Dark line were used in Ellesmere Port while drugs were also sold in Wirral, Greater Manchester and Scotland.

Cavanagh was estimated to have been selling between 25kg to 50kg of class A drugs.

In order to keep making a substantial profit Cavanagh enlisted those he trusted to be part of his organised crime group.

Schofield, aged 39, and Roberts, aged 51, were responsible for housing the drugs and the money gained from it.

Roberts was also responsible for couriering the money and drugs for Cavanagh and his gang.

During a 10-month operation by detectives from Cheshire Constabulary’s Serious and Organised Crime (SOCU) Schofield was observed with Cavanagh and another man moving carrier bags of drugs out of the address.

The bags were then placed into the man’s taxi for onward supply.

Schofield and Roberts were sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday 5 April after pleading guilty to assisting an organised crime group.

Schofield, of Alverston Road in Liverpool, was jailed for 27 months and Roberts, of East Float Quay in Wallasey, was sentenced to 20 months. 

Judge Everett told the pair that their role in the conspiracy cannot be underestimated and without them the ‘organised crime group can’t operate’.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Murray, from the SOCU, said: “Both Schofield and Roberts allowed their own homes to be used for storing crack cocaine and heroin as well as the money that was profited from its supply.

“The custodial sentences they received for their involvement should be a reminder to individuals choosing to be part of organised criminality. No matter how low in the chain they perceive themselves or their role to be, they can still face a prison sentence.

“This type of organised crime is known for exploiting vulnerable adults and children in order for criminals to gain an illegal profit.

“I want to encourage the public to keep familiarising themselves with the drug dealing signs to look out for and to report it to officers as soon as possible so we can keep removing organised crime from the community.”

At Chester Crown Court on 16 June 2020 Cavanagh was sentenced to 14 years and six months for conspiracy to supply crack cocaine and heroin and dangerous driving.

If you have information relating to drug activity taking place in your community please report it here or anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 and Cheshire Constabulary will do the rest.

To spot the signs of county lines criminality please click here

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.