Ellesmere Port man jailed as part of ongoing crackdown on illegal drugs

A man from Ellesmere Port has been jailed for more than three years after he admitted being involved in the supply of class A drugs.

Terry Drysdale appeared at Chester Crown Court on Monday 31 July where he was sentenced to 45 months in prison.

The 44-year-old of Tees Court, Ellesmere Port, had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (crack cocaine) and possession of class A drugs (cocaine).

The case against Drysdale began on Wednesday 17 June 2020 when officers witnessed two men in a Vauxhall Corsa who appeared to be dealing drugs on Rossmore Road East.

Police followed the car as it travelled along Rossmore Road before stopping opposite Tees Court. Drysdale then exited the car near to Tees Court where he was intercepted and arrested by officers.

Upon his arrest police seized two mobile phones. A warrant was later conducted at his home where officers found a bag of white powder in his bedside table; the powder was later found to be sodium bicarbonate which is used in the production of crack cocaine.

Drysdale was subsequently released under investigation while officers conducted further enquiries.

However, undeterred by his arrest, he continued with his illegal activities and on Monday 7 December 2020, police were called to reports of a man possibly armed with a knife at Bailey Park in Ellesmere Port.

Officers were deployed to the scene and on arrival they noticed Drysdale who appeared to be acting suspiciously.

Due to his conduct officers decided to search him and discovered a mobile phone, cash and an empty knotted bag. 

A wider search was then conducted in the park which led to officers recovering a pair of gloves containing a bag of cannabis and a bag of white powder (cocaine), resulting in Drysdale’s arrest.

A search was later conducted at his home where officers recovered another mobile phone along with a set of digital scales.  Subsequent analysis of the four mobile phones revealed that he was involved in the supply of class A drugs.

During questioning Drysdale denied any involvement, but he subsequently pleaded guilty to all the charges in court.

Following the sentencing Police Constable Paul Barlow, who led the investigation, said: “This is a great result which demonstrates our efforts to ensure those who deal illegal drugs in our communities are caught and brought to justice.

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

“Here in Ellesmere Port, 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 offenders like Drysdale 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.