A County Lines drug dealer who was caught with drugs worth over £30,000 has been jailed for facilitating the supply of class A drugs in Warrington.
Tony Monroe appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday 28 January where he was sentenced to a total of five years and 32 weeks.
The 35-year-old, of no fixed abode, had previously pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs and possession with intent to supply class A drugs.
Officers were investigating a county lines drugs gang operating in the Warrington area, supplying class A drugs – crack cocaine and heroin – on a daily basis.
The officers were able to identify three mobile phone numbers which had been used to advertise the drugs since 4 November 2024. It was also discovered that Monroe was the ‘controller’ of the county lines gang.
Following enquiries, officers attended a holiday park in Rhyl on 11 December 2024 to conduct arrest attempts for Monroe, who was believed to be residing on a caravan on the site.
Monroe was arrested at the site on suspicion of class A drugs offences. A search of the caravan was conducted and a number of mobile phones were seized, as well as £246 in cash, a quantity of cannabis, heroin worth more than £8,900, and a bag of white powder later identified as cocaine, worth more than £22,900.
Monroe was subsequently charged with the offences.
Inspector Robert Balfour said: “Monroe is facing a considerable custodial sentence for his role in bringing illegal drugs to the streets of Warrington.
“Not only this, but our officers were successful in seizing more than £30,000 of drugs.
“The dangers of drugs are well-known and our fight against these illegal substances is never over. We will continue to crack down on those who bring drugs into our communities and hold those responsible to account.”
