Yahoo News Stoke-on-Trent's 'S' drugs line runner now behind bars
A runner for the 'S' drugs line in Stoke-on-Trent has been jailed. Reece Chell, aged 25, and his co-defendant, Michael Davis, aged 32, were involved in the supply of crack cocaine and heroin in the city last year.
Prosecutor David Farley told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court: "The S line operated between Birmingham and Stoke between April 2023 and November 2023. The phone had a number ending 4074. That was recovered from Davis on arrest.
"It was analysed. Between June 1 and December 12, 2023 about 5,000 messages were sent out advertising drugs in bulk texts to the phone book of the drugs line."
Chell was arrested on July 31 last year in Shelton Old Road, Stoke. He was caught with crack cocaine and heroin. But that did not deter him from involving himself in the supply of the drugs.
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The court heard heroin and cocaine worth £3,800 were found in Davis's home on his arrest.
Chell, of Hartshill Road, Stoke, pleaded guilty to two charges of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug. His basis was that he was a runner directed by Davis. If he made a profit it would be used to support his drug addiction.
Paul Cliff, representing Chell, said in late 2023 his client was addicted to heroin. Mr Cliff said: "He was an outpost to whatever operation existed. He was acting under the direction of others."
He said Chell had been remanded in custody for more than eight months and it has been a very difficult time for him as several relatives have died and he has missed their funerals. Mr Cliff added that Chell has a methadone prescription and has not used illegal drugs on remand.
Davis, of Icknield Port Road, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to two charges of possessing a class A drug with intent to supply and two charges of being concerned in the supply of a class A drug.
His plea was on a basis he was asked to mind the drugs line 4074 because he had accrued a £2,500 drugs debt due to spiralling cocaine use and his dealer was making him pay off the debt by managing the drugs line. He directed runners to where they would sell the drugs but did not handle any cash.
Ben Williams, mitigating for Davis, said: "He carried out the function of running the runners, manning the phone, taking orders and directing people what to do.
"He was doing it under instruction and was engaged into that role through pressure having accrued a drug debt to those above him in the chain."
He said Davis had suffered a violent assault in prison but is trying to increase his job prospects on his release. Mr Williams added: "He is adamant he will stay well away from class A drugs, never mind as a dealer, as a user as well. He will put all this behind him once and for all."
Judge Michael Maher jailed Davis for three years and sentenced Chell to 21 months. He said: "You are both young men whose lives have been blighted by drugs. You have in time sought to supply that very same poison into the community.
"Davis, your basis boils down to, you were a substantial drug user who accrued a large debt. You were operating the 'S' drugs line. You were running the runners. But you were subject to a degree of control yourself.
"Davis, you were trying to flush drugs down the toilet when you were arrested. Police recovered cocaine and heroin with a value of £3,800 if sold on the streets of Stoke."
The judge made a deprivation order for the drugs and a forfeiture order for the cash seized.
