Cheshire Police have dismantled a significant drug supply network in a crackdown that has resulted in 16 men receiving a combined sentence of over 80 years in jail.

The gang, which operated at an "industrial level," primarily sourced kilos of cannabis from Manchester and Liverpool, distributing it in Ellesmere Port and Chester between April 12, 2023, and March 7, 2024. The investigation was conducted by Cheshire Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit as part of Operation Heracles.

Evidence revealed large quantities of cannabis and cash were stored in multiple units at Indigo Business Park, Ellesmere Port, where gang members frequented nearly daily. A police raid on November 12, 2023, led to the seizure of nearly £11,000 in cash and cannabis valued at approximately £59,000, prompting further warrants on March 6, 2024, that involved more than 250 officers targeting gang-associated locations in Ellesmere Port and Chester.

The operation culminated in the arrest of 13 of the gang members, with the total cash seized exceeding £29,552 and cannabis worth up to £98,000 confiscated.

Between January 13 and January 15, 2025, the 16 men were sentenced at Chester Crown Court. Key sentences included:

Kyle Phillips, 28: 8 years for conspiracy to supply and import cannabis.

Joshua Burns, 28: 6 years and 4 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Jason Mayers, 32: 6 years for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Daniel Taylor, 40: 5 years and 4 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Adam Jones, 32: 5 years for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Aiden Johnson, 31: 6 years and 3 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Ryan Neild, 25: 3 years and 8 months for conspiracy to supply and possession with intent to supply cannabis.

Daniel Neild, 33: 4 years and 6 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Gary Tushingham, 28: 6 years and 6 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Nathan Elliott, 31: 4 years and 10 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis and possession of criminal property.

Curtis Agarry, 26: 4 years for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Thomas Cooper, 23: 5 years for conspiracy to supply cannabis, plus a domestic-related offence.

Ethan McLaughlin, 23: 4 years and 2 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Bailey Davies, 25: 4 years and 6 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis.

Joseph Henry, 34: 5 years and 6 months for conspiracy to supply cannabis and production of cannabis, plus affray.

Patrick Knowles, 32: 2 years and 6 months for assisting an organised crime group.

Detectives noted that Phillips, Burns, Mayers, Taylor, Jones, and Johnson were key figures in the operation, involved in coordinating the supply while others acted as trusted members responsible for storage and distribution.

Following their sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Nick Henderson expressed approval, highlighting the successful removal of class B drugs from the streets and sending a clear message that drug-related crimes in Cheshire would not be tolerated.