A drug dealer caught supplying crack cocaine and heroin in Victoria Park, Warrington, has been jailed.
Lewis Shackleton, of no fixed abode in Warrington, previously pleaded guilty to drugs supply offences and was sentenced on Wednesday 17 July at Chester Crown Court.
The 24-year-old was jailed for two years and four months for possession with intent to supply class A drugs and possession of criminal property.
Shackleton’s criminality was identified following an investigation launched by officers from Operation Apollo into the alleged supply of illegal drugs in Warrington.
Enquiries established that Shackleton was the controller of a graft phone – used for arranging the supply and distribution of crack cocaine and heroin to local drug users.
On Tuesday 18 June, plain-clothed officers were patrolling Victoria Park in Warrington following intelligence that drug dealing was taking place.
Shackleton was spotted by officers and attempted to flee but was quickly detained and arrested. He was found in possession of a graft phone, a quantity of white and brown powder, and a large quantity of cash. The powder was later tested and found to be crack cocaine and heroin.
Shackleton was subsequently charged with two counts of possession with intent to supply class A drugs (crack cocaine and heroin), and possession of criminal property.
Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Robert Balfour said: “The sentence handed to Shackleton should serve as a reminder that we are committed to acting on any information we receive regarding drugs activity.
“This behaviour wreaks havoc on people’s lives – and not just on those who use drugs themselves. The impact of illegal drugs stretches far and wide and can devastate communities.
“This is why it is so important to report illegal drug activity in your area so we can stop people like Shackleton and bring them to justice.”
Anyone with any information about illegal drug activity in their community can report it to Cheshire Police www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us or 101 or report it to Crimestoppers anonymously via the Crimestoppers website.
