Members of a county lines drug gang, known as the "scouse Jonno" line, have been jailed.
Benjamin Carter, Jack Elliott and Christopher Davidson have been sentenced to more than 12 years behind bars, between them. Some of their associates received suspended sentences when they also appeared in Chester Crown Court, on Thursday, June 15.
The court heard that Carter, of Sprucewood Close, Anfield, and Elliott, of Welton Green, Speke, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply class A drugs, mainly crack cocaine and heroin. The two were known to work with Davidson, of Cemlyn Close, Chester, as part of the drugs gang known as the "Jonno" line.
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The investigation into the team, referred to as the “Jonno” line, began in 2021, when detectives from Chester CID became aware of four mobile phone numbers which were being used to sell illegal drugs. The numbers were regularly travelling from Liverpool into Chester, sending out hundreds of ‘flare messages’ to drug addicts in the area, offering to supply them with illegal drugs.
Following extensive enquiries officers identified that the phones were controlled by Carter and Elliott. Woods would assist Carter and Clelland was responsible for driving the line to and from Chester to facilitate the supply.
Davidson allowed his home on Cemlyn Close to be used for the supply of Class A drugs. The “Jonno” line used the flat as a secure base to produce crack cocaine and heroin and bag it up ready for delivery.
Following months of detailed investigations, detectives tracked the gang's whereabouts and between January 7 and January 17, 2021, Carter, Elliott, Woods, Clelland and Davidson were all arrested by officers. All five men were subsequently charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs.
Carter, aged 35, was sentenced to seven years; 25-year-old Eliott, was jailed for three years and Davidson, aged 41, was jailed for one year and four months. Woods, aged 37, received 12 months suspended for 12 months with an additional 120 hours of unpaid work and Clelland, aged 60, received 8 months suspended for 18 months with an additional 120 hours of unpaid work.
Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Stuart Needham, of Chester Proactive CID, said: "This is a fantastic result, not only are five drug dealers now facing the consequences of their criminality, but we were also able to remove a large quantity of crack cocaine and heroin 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 Chester 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, out 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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