Leader of county lines gang jailed for supplying drugs in Northwich

The leader of a county lines organised crime group (OCG) from Liverpool has been jailed for his part in the supply of class A drugs in Northwich.

Paul Brown, of Quickthorne Crescent, was already under investigation when he was caught leaving a flat that was being used as a base to supply crack cocaine and heroin.

The 42-year-old had previously been released under investigation after he was the passenger in a car that was stopped by police on Runcorn Road in Northwich at 2.20pm on 30 April 2019.

A search of the vehicle located a mobile phone, crack cocaine and heroin along with two knives from the boot of the car. The drugs had a combined total of almost £2,000.

Brown was arrested at the scene and released under investigation after being questioned by officers.

On Thursday 9 June 2022 a warrant was executed at a property on Lilac Drive and Brown was seen walking down the communal stairs when police arrived.

A search of the flat led to crack cocaine and heroin, around £200 in cash, three mobile phones and drug paraphernalia being recovered.

Brown was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply crack cocaine and heroin and subsequently charged.

He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday 26 August and was jailed for 68 months after pleading guilty to the offences.

PC Adam Cupples, of Northwich local policing unit, said: “Brown was running a county lines organised crime group that supplied crack cocaine and heroin to drug users in the Northwich area.

“Despite having already been arrested and subsequently released under investigation for drug offences he continued to run his OCG profiting from his criminal activities.

“With information coming into police in relation to drug activity in the area we were able to execute a warrant which led to Brown being found leaving the property. He attempted to make his escape but was located and dealt with.”

A county line is operated by an OCG who use mobile phones, known as a line or a graft to extend their supply of crack cocaine and heroin to users in various locations across the United Kingdom – usually from a city into rural areas.

If you believe drug activity is taking place in your community and have information please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or contact Cheshire Constabulary via our website

Information on how to spot county lines criminality can be found here Impact | Cheshire Constabulary