Ellesmere Port drug dealer jailed after eagle-eyed officer spots him speeding in a car full of class A drugs

Jay Ellis, of the Square, Ince, Ellesmere Port, was sentenced to two years and three months behind bars after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession with intent to supply class A drugs (cocaine).

Ellis' case began on 9 December 2023, when, at around 11pm, a Cheshire Police officer in a patrol car noticed a grey Vauxhall Insignia travelling at a considerable speed on Bebington Road, Ellesmere Port.

Aware that the Vauxhall was driving in excess of the legal limit, the officer quickly caught up with the car and pulled it over a short time later on Greasby Drive - finding a nervous Ellis behind the wheel. The 27-year-old was then tested by the roadside for drugs, failing by testing positive for traces of cocaine in his system.

Ellis was then detained whilst the officer conducted a search of his vehicle, where she found a plastic tube containing ten wraps of white powder and subsequently arrested him on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. It would later be confirmed that the drugs found within the car would be worth over £500.

After being taken into custody, officers found two further bags of white powder later revealed to be cocaine and ketamine, a phone and around £970 in cash on Ellis' person.

Officers would then conduct a Section 18 search at Ellis' home address, where they would find a Nokia phone in Ellis' bedroom that was subsequently seized as evidence. Despite Ellis not providing the the PIN details for his devices, officers were able to retrieve a substantial amount of content such as text message data, pictures of him posing with drugs and notes relating to the sale of cocaine and ketamine.

Investigating officers would also access Ellis' bank accounts, which showed that he was moving large amounts of money from one account to the other, suggesting one was used from the transaction of drug sales. It was estimated that around £43,320 in criminal property had gone through his accounts.

Despite this overwhelming amount of evidence against him, Ellis would deny the onward supply of drugs, claiming the quantity that was found on him was for personal use - buying the drugs in bulk to save money - and could not provide an answer as to where the Nokia phone had come from.

He would later be charged by investigating officers and, at a plea hearing at Chester Crown Court in February, would plead guilty to being concerned in the supply of cocaine and possession with intent to supply class A drugs (cocaine).

Detective Sergeant Roy Wellings, of the Western Proactive Team, said:

"It was evident from the very beginning that Jay Ellis was hiding something and when he was pulled over by one of our response officers, he instantly knew he'd be caught out and it was only a matter of time until we uncovered the truth that he was bringing in a considerable amount of money through the sale of illegal drugs.

"In Cheshire, we take the production and supply of illicit substances very seriously and no one should benefit through the breaking of the law, which is why, alongside his two-year custodial sentence, our officers have already begun the process of applying for a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act."