County lines drug dealer jailed following Northwich stop-check

A county lines drug dealer from Liverpool has been jailed for more than three years following a successful police stop-check in Northwich.

At around 10am on Wednesday 30 March, plain clothed officers were on patrol on Romanes Street, Castle, following reports of drug dealing in the area.

While there they spotted Alexander Kirby, who matched the description of someone believed to be dealing drugs.

The officers followed the Kirby as he met another man in an alleyway at the rear of Huxley Street, where officers believe a drug deal was about to take place.

However, before the pair were able to complete the deal, Kirby was detained for a drugs search.

The 22-year-old was found to be in possession of 249 wraps of crack cocaine and 100 wraps of heroin – valued at £3,490.

He was subsequently charged and pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs.

Kirby, of Pilch Lane, Dovecot, Liverpool, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 28 April where he was sentenced to 40 months in prison.

Following the sentencing Detective Constable Claire Heatley of Northwich Pro-active team said: “Kirby thought that Northwich was an easy target, he assumed he could travel over from Liverpool and establish a county lines supply into the town without being spotted – but little did he know we were hot on his trail.

“I hope that this case, and the sentence handed to Kirby acts as a warning to other dealers who are thinking about coming to Northwich, and the wider Cheshire area.

“Illegal drugs can have a devastating impact, not only drug users, but also the community around them.

“Here in Northwich, we are doing all we can to stop drug activity on our streets to make the town a safer place to live and visit, while also making it extremely difficult for these offenders to operate.

“We will always act on any information about drug activity provided to us and would urge anyone who believes this activity is happening near to them to get in touch.”

You can report suspected drug dealing to Cheshire Constabulary online at https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report, or by calling 101.

Information can also be reported anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or at https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously .