The drug gang that produced crack cocaine in an Ellesmere Port flat
Four men from Ellesmere Port have been jailed for a combined total of over 20 years for their involvement in a crack cocaine ring. The gang were caught after police became aware of two mobile phone numbers being used to sell illegal drugs.
Police said the phones were being used to send 'flare messages' –a bulk message used to advertise drugs– to users across Ellesmere Port[1]. Ellesmere Port CID found the phones belonged to Riley Broster, 26, and Ryan Winkle, 28.
Broster, of Hampton Gardens, was responsible for sourcing the drugs. He and Winkle, of Pembridge Court, sent messages and took drug orders before passing the orders on to Thomas Turner, 27.
Turner, of Leven Walk, was the gang's street dealer, meeting with crack users and performing the drops. Guvanel Agrela, 57, a neighbour of Winkle, allowed his Pembridge Court home to be used as the gang's stash house.
The gang used the flat as a secure base to produce crack cocaine and bag it up ready for delivery. The four members of the gang were arrested on Wednesday, February 8, as police raided addresses across the town.
Officers found large amount of drugs paraphernalia, approximately £900 cash and more than £1,000 worth of crack cocaine during the raids. All four men were subsequently charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs (crack cocaine) and pleaded guilty.
They all appeared at Chester Crown Court[3] Thursday (July 27). Broster was jailed for six years and four months.
Winkle was jailed for five years and eight months, while both Agrela and Turner were jailed for four years and eight months.
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Wellings, of Ellesmere Port Proactive CID, said: “This is a fantastic result, not only are four drug dealers now behind bars, but we’ve also been able to remove a large quantity of crack cocaine from the streets of our town.
“During our enquiries it was clear that these men were all part of a well-established organised crime gang who were responsible for dealing large quantities of illegal drugs in the Ellesmere Port area. Thanks to our detailed investigation we were able to bring the men to justice, leaving them with no option but to plead guilty to all of the offences.
“While this gang are now behind bars, our fight against illegal drugs continues and as part of this we need support from local residents. We need the public to be our eyes and ears and to come forward with information regarding drug dealing in the areas they live in.
“If you have any information about illegal drug activity or any other criminal activity taking place, please report it to us on 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, and we will do the rest.”
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References
- ^ Ellesmere Port (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Man, 28, dies in M62 crash as detectives issue appeal (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Chester Crown Court (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Sign up for CheshireLive email direct to your inbox here (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)