Dealers who flooded the streets with cocaine have been jailed for a combined seven years and nine months.
They were caught by police when James Matthews, 19, was stop searched and found to have wraps of white powder, two bags of cannabis, two mobile phones and a quantity of cash. Matthews, of Naylor Road, Ellesmere Port, attempted to run away but was arrested a short time later.
He was interviewed and released, on June 2, this year, however Cheshire police's investigation had now started. While Matthews was under investigation, enquiries revealed a phone number which was identified as a graft number responsible for the supply of cocaine.
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Further investigations found Matthews and Phillip Burns, 32, were linked to the graft number. As a result, on October 12, a warrant was executed at Burns’ home address where he was arrested.
Matthews was arrested a second time following fresh evidence. He was located at an address in Ellesmere Port where bags of cocaine, cash, digital scales, food bags, a phone, and a notebook were seized. Both Matthews and Burns were charged on October 13.
James Matthews was jailed for two years and three months at Chester Crown Court on Monday 27 November. Phillip Burns, of Flint Court, Ellesmere Port, was jailed for five years and six months.
PC Lee Ashbrook said: "As a result of this investigation, we have been able to remove two people intent on supplying drugs off the streets. Matthews even continued his offending behaviour while under investigation, but thanks to officers’ hard work, Matthews and Burns are now facing the consequences of their actions.
"This is a great result for the community, but I would continue to urge anyone who notices this behaviour where they live to report it to us."
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