Faces of Chester drugs gang jailed for total of more than 40 years

Seven members of a Chester drugs gang have been jailed for a combined total of more than 40 years. They were put behind bars for their roles in supplying class A drugs in the city as well as North Wales.

Operation Showman was launched by detectives in June last year. The gang were using a number of graft phones to send out bulk messages to drug users in the area offering to supply cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy.

Following enquiries, officers identified a number of suspects who were believed to be part of the gang. After gathering a catalogue of evidence, a series of raids were carried out on April 30 this year, leading to the arrests of seven men and three women who were all later charged.

READ MORE: Black bins to be collected just once every three weeks as councillors give go-ahead

READ MORE: Plans unveiled for new housing estate on edge of Cheshire town

Several mobile phones were also seized during the raids along with a large quantity of drugs. This included cocaine with a potential street value of up to £70,100, MDMA with a street value of up to £28,120, and ketamine worth up to £160,880.

The following gang members were sentenced at Chester Crown Court:

Daniel Smith

Daniel Smith, aged 38, of Roughlyn Crescent, Marlston-cum-Lache, Chester, received 10 years and five months after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, ketamine, and MDMA.

Ryan Yates

Ryan Paul Yates, aged 33, of Roughlyn Crescent, Marslton-cum-Lache, Chester, received 10 years after he pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs (cocaine, ketamine, MDMA) and importation of class B drugs (cannabis).

Edward Chadwick

Edward Chadwick, aged 29, of Oakfield Road, Blacon, received eight years after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine).

James Phelan

James Phelan, aged 20, of no fixed abode, received six years after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A and B drugs (cocaine and ketamine).

Jamie Kelly

Jamie Lee Kelly, aged 37, of Englefield Avenue, Saltney, received four years and three months after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine).

Lucy Pagett

Lucy Pagett, aged 33, of Englefield Avenue, Saltney, received 40 months after she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine).

Sian Tomlin

Sian Elisha Tomlin, aged 34, of Stamford Road, Chester, received two years and six months after she pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (cocaine).

Also sentenced, but avoiding an immediate spell behind bars, were Kai Bradley, aged 21, of Saughall Road, Chester, who received a 22-month sentence, suspended for two years, after he pleaded guilty to allowing a premises to be used for the supply of class A drugs (cocaine).

Susan Stretton, aged 39, of Roughlyn Crescent, Marslton-cum-Lache, Chester, received a 16-month sentence suspended for two years after she pleaded guilty to allowing a premises to be used for the supply of class A and B drugs (cocaine, MDMA, and ketamine). And Jordan Cook, aged 21, of Willow Road, Chester, received a nine-month sentence suspended for 18 months after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class B drugs (ketamine).

The investigation revealed that Smith stored the drugs at his address and was involved in weighing and packaging the substances. Stretton lived at the same address and allowed cocaine, ketamine and MDMA to be stored there. Yates also helped to control the storage of the drugs at this address, as well as controlling the graft phones, and assisting in weighing and packaging.

Chadwick was another controller of the drugs phones and directed others in the supply of cocaine. Bradley and Pagett both allowed their premises to be used by the gang to supply drugs from. Pagett also stored drugs at her address and assisted with packaging, weighing and supplying drugs.

Phelan and Kelly were street-level suppliers of cocaine, while Cook was a supplier of ketamine that was purchased from the group. Tomlin made contact with this gang to purchase bulk amounts of illegal drugs. Following the sentencings, Detective Inspector Rupert Morrey said: "This is an exceptional result, with a combined sentence of more than 44 years in prison.

“During the investigation, our officers spent over seven months meticulously gathering intelligence in relation to the supply of illegal drugs in Chester. Each defendant then pleaded guilty to their involvement in this OCG, which demonstrates the strength of the evidence against them.

“As well as the substantial sentences received, our investigation saw a total of more than a quarter of a million pounds worth of drugs seized and taken off the streets. Illegal drugs have a hugely detrimental impact on communities, so cutting off supplies and removing those responsible for drug dealing from our communities is of huge importance to us.

“I hope these recent sentences reassure residents that we are doing all we can to tackle offending of this nature, while also serving as a warning to those who choose to be involved in drugs offences that you will be caught and brought to justice.”

NEWSLETTER: Sign up for CheshireLive email direct to your inbox here