Warrington couple jailed for county lines drug dealing

The investigation against the pair began in January after officers discovered that the Manc J county lines team was operating in Warrington.

The gang was sending out flare messages on a daily basis offering the sale of heroin and crack cocaine.

Following telecoms enquiries, officers identified that Abbey and McGuire were the controllers of the line.

A warrant was subsequently executed at their home on Secker Avenue on Wednesday 21 March where officers recovered four mobile phones along with a diary containing contact details.

During analysis of the phones, officers discovered messages which proved both Abbey and McGuire had been dealing drugs.

Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Rob Balfour of Cheshire Constabulary’s County Lines Team, said:

“I welcome the sentences handed to Abbey and McGuire and I hope that their conviction sends out a warning to other dealers planning to target the Warrington area.

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

“Here in Warrington, 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 gangs 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 directly by calling 101 or giving the details online via https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report .

Alternatively, information can also be given anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.