Gang who supplied cocaine and cannabis in Ellesmere Port jailed

A gang who supplied cocaine and cannabis in Ellesmere Port have been jailed.

Thomas James, Simon Parker and Luke Gibson appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 13 January where they were sentenced to the following:

• Thomas James, 21, of Sutton Way, Great Sutton – Three years and eight months imprisonment
• Simon Parker, 29, of Joseph Groome Towers, Ellesmere Port – Four years and five months imprisonment
• Luke Gibson, 21, of Camden Road, Ellesmere Port – Three years imprisonment

They pleaded guilty to the offences put to them.

The court heard how the investigation team identified a graft phone used by the defendants to deal drugs to the community.

Following further investigation, officers worked to stop a Citroen Berlingo on Doune Court, Ellesmere Port, the vehicle failed to stop and the three men fled.

James and Parker were detained nearby. The Berlingo was searched a quantity of cash and cannabis were recovered along with a Samsung mobile belonging to Parker.

The pair where then further arrested for being concerned in the supply of controlled drugs.

A Nokia phone was recovered in a bush nearby where James was detained.

Following enquiries, a further warrant was executed at an address on Camden Road, where Gibson lived, with cannabis and cocaine with a value estimated to be close to £10,000 recovered in a tumble dryer.

Hundreds of snap bags and two sets of scales along with another phone were discovered.

Officers continued with their investigation, a further warrant was conducted at Princes Road where more than £8,000 in cash was seized from James’s bedroom along with a small amount of cocaine and 17 snap bags of cannabis. Again, phones and sandwich bags were recovered.

The phones seized were examined and messages were found relating to drug deals.

Further analysis showed that the phones were in the areas with the Berlingo.

Police Constable Lee Ashbrook said: “This trio brought misery to communities in Ellesmere Port and I welcome the fact that they will now be behind bars for a substantial amount of time.

“As part of the investigation, we seized large quantities of drugs preventing them from finding a way onto the town’s streets.

“These drugs can bring neighbourhoods into disarray and we will do all we can to disrupt and deter those who are intent on bringing misery to our streets

“We will continue with our fight against illegal drugs in the community and we will do all we can to make our area free from illegal crime.”

For more details on how to spot the signs of county lines drug dealing, and help make Ellesmere Port a safer place, visit the Cheshire Police website.

Any information regarding drug dealing in your community, no matter how small, should be reported to Cheshire Constabulary on 101, or via the Cheshire Police.

Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.