Drugs gang behind bars
Cops swooped on cannabis suppliers after ‘intensive’ surveillance operation:
ACANNABIS gang from Runcorn have been sentenced to nearly 10 years behind bars between them for conspiring to supply the drug in the town.
Nine men were sentenced at Warrington Crown Court last week.
Michael McDonagh, 27, of Sextant Close, was sentenced to four years and six months’ imprisonment for conspiring to supply cannabis and possession with intent to supply cannabis.
The other defendants were all sentenced for conspiring to supply cannabis.
Joseph Smith, 34, of The Uplands, was sentenced to 16 months’ imprisonment, while Adam Watson, 20, of The Knoll, was sentenced to 16 months in a youth offenders institute.
Liam Smith, 19, of Chichester Close, was sentenced to a year in a youth offenders institute, while Stuart O’Neill, 40, of Norton Cottages in Preston Brook, and Matthew Leigh, 22, formerly of The Knoll but now of Priory Street in Runcorn, were both given community orders for 12 months.
Christopher Perry, 28, formerly of The Copse and now of Grangeway, was handed 24 months’ imprisonment but it was suspended for the next two years.
Jack Friel, 21, formerly of Fenwick Lane and now of Caesars Close, was sent to prison for 14 months.
Adam Mitchell, 21, of Dover Close, was given 16 months’ imprisonment.
A Cheshire police spokesman said that an investigation was initially launched by Runcorn Local Policing Unit following information received from a member of the public.
After receiving the information, the team had launched an ‘intensive surveillance operation’ which the spokesman said led to the seizure of a ‘significant quantity’ of cannabis with an estimated street value of £3,440.
Warrants were also executed in the Runcorn area on October 28 last year.
Det Sgt Rob McLoughlin said: “This was a conspiracy network involving all nine men to supply cannabis daily on a large scale in the Runcorn area.
“They were dealing in full view of the public and on occasions in front of children.
“This result shows that working with the community we can tackle the distribution of illegal drugs in Runcorn.”
He added: “We will continue to make every effort to remove drugs from our streets, improving quality of life for our community.
“Anyone with information on drug dealing in their area should contact Cheshire police on 101.”