Ten people plead guilty to supplying illegal drugs in Chester

Ten people who were arrested as part of an operation into the supply of illegal drugs in Chester have now pleaded guilty to all of the charges against them.

Operation Showman was launched by detectives at Chester Proactive Policing Team in June 2023 in response to an organised crime gang (OCG) who were supplying class A drugs in Chester and North Wales.

The gang were using a number of graft phones to conduct their operation, sending out bulk messages to drug users in the area offering to supply cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy.

Following enquiries officers identified a number of suspects in Chester and Ellesmere Port who were believed to be part of the OCG.

After gathering a catalogue of evidence against the gang, officers conducted a series of warrants across the area on Tuesday 30 April leading to the arrest and charge of seven men and three women in relation to a variety of offences.

A number of mobile phones were also seized during the raids along with a large quantity of cocaine, ketamine, MDNA and cannabis.

All ten defendants have since pleaded guilty to the charges against them, with the last defendant, Daniel Smith, admitting his guilt at Chester Crown Court on Monday 9 September.

Here are the details of the nine defendants who will all now be sentenced at a later date:

• Jordan Cook, aged 20, of Sycamore Drive, Chester – pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class B drugs (ketamine)
• Jamie Lee Kelly, aged 37, of Englefield Avenue, Saltney – pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine)
• Lucy Pagett, aged 33, of Englefield Avenue, Saltney – pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine)
• James Phelan, aged 20, of Montrose Court, Chester – pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine)
• Ryan Paul Yates, aged 33, of Roughlyn Crescent, Marslton-cum-Lache, Chester – pleaded guilty to three counts of conspiracy to supply class A & B drugs (cocaine, ketamine, MDMA) and importation of class B drugs (cannabis)
• Edward Chadwick, aged 28, of Oakfield Road, Chester - pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs (cocaine)
• Sian Elisha Tomlin, aged 34, of Stamford Road, Chester – pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (cocaine)
• Daniel Smith, aged 38, of Roughlyn Crescent, Marslton-cum-Lache, Chester - pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine, ketamine, and MDMA
• Susan Stretton, aged 38, of Roughlyn Crescent, Marslton-cum-Lache, Chester - pleaded guilty to allowing a premises to be used for the supply of class A drugs (cocaine)
• Kai Bradley, aged 20, of Stratford Road, Chester – pleaded guilty to allowing a premises to be used for the supply of class A drugs (cocaine)

Following the guilty pleas Detective Inspector Rupert Morrey said:

“This has been a complex and lengthy investigation and the fact that all the suspects have now admitted their guilt demonstrates the strength of the evidence against them.

“During the investigation, our officers spent over seven months meticulously gathering evidence and intelligence in relation to the supply of illegal drugs in Chester.

“Thanks to their dedication, ten people have now pleaded guilty to their involvement in the supply of class A and B drugs in the area.

“Illegal drugs have a hugely detrimental impact on communities, causing widespread misery. As such, cutting off supplies of illegal drugs and removing drug dealers from our communities is of paramount importance.

“I have no doubt that these convictions will play a crucial role in disrupting serious and organised crime and send out a very clear message that the supply of illegal drugs will not be tolerated in Cheshire.

“I also hope that it reassures communities that we are committed to doing all we can to tackle this type of criminality.”

Chief Inspector Paul Fegan, head of Chester Local Policing unit, added:

“Illegal drugs have a devastating impact on our communities, and although we do extensive work with our partners to break the cycle of serious and organised crime, we cannot achieve this alone.

“We need the public to be our eyes and ears and to come forward with information regarding drug dealing in their communities.

“Your support is crucial in the ongoing fight against drug dealing and all other forms of serious and organised crime. Together we can help to keep vulnerable people and our communities safe.

“If you have any information about illegal drug activity or any other criminal activity taking place in our city please get in touch, you will be listened to, and we will investigate the matter.”

To learn how to spot the signs of drug activity, including county lines exploitation, taking place in your area please visit our website: 

https://www.cheshire.police.uk/police-forces/cheshire-constabulary/areas/cheshire/campaigns/campaigns/2019/impact/

To report drug activity in your area please report it here: 

Home | Cheshire Constabulary 

...or anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on:

0800 555 111