A MASSIVE undercover drugs investigation in Chester has resulted in a number of people pleading guilty to supplying Class ‘A’ drugs.
The offenders were all snared by Operation Strikeout, which involved an undercover detective posing as a drug addict.
Twenty-one defendants from across Chester and Merseyside appeared before Judge David Hale at Chester Crown Court on Monday, November 16, on charges of supplying controlled Class A drugs, including heroin and crack cocaine, in the Chester area.
More than 200 police officers from Cheshire Police executed a series of drugs warrants during dawn raids at a total of 24 properties in Chester, Merseyside and North Wales, to target the use and supply of drugs in the Chester area.
Twenty of the defendants pleaded guilty to supplying controlled Class ‘A’ drugs to DC Phil Barnett as part of an undercover operation during the summer.
They will reappear before the court for sentencing on December 17.
The defendants who appeared before the court were:
Julie Ballantyne, 46, of Auckland Road, Blacon, pleaded guilty to three charges of supplying heroin between June, 26 and July 20.
Stephen Dixon, 41, of Nevin Road, Blacon, pleaded guilty to three charges of supplying heroin between June 17, and June 29.
Brian Cooper, 39, of The Parade, Blacon, pleaded guilty to three charges of supplying heroin between July 10, and July 24.
Laura Elaine Broom, 41, of City Road, Chester, pleaded guilty to supplying heroin and crack cocaine in May.
Gerard Ecker, 35, of Vicars Cross Road, Vicars Cross, pleaded guilty to four charges of supplying heroin and cocaine during May to July.
Anthony Coombes, 34, of Vicars Cross Road, Vicars Cross, pleaded guilty to two charges of supplying class A drugs, cocaine in May.
Benjamin Butler, 26, Barbridge Mews, Old Chester Road, Chester, pleaded guilty to six charges of supplying class A drugs including heroin and crack cocaine in May.
Darren Oglesby, 36, of Egerton Street, Chester, pleaded guilty to two charges of supplying heroin between May 29, and June 8.
Stephen McCarthy, 31, of Downham Place, Chester, pleaded guilty to three charges of supplying heroin in June.
Carl Mullen, 24, of Hughson Street, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to two charges of supplying heroin on May 29 and June 10.
Paul Mullen, 20, of Grafton Street, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to three charges of supplying heroin in June.
Lee Nimmo, 21, Lampton Road, Liverpool, pleaded guilty to five charges of supplying crack cocaine and heroin in June.
Daniel Meredith, 22, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to two charges of supplying crack cocaine in July.
Joseph Henry, 19, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to three charges of supplying crack cocaine in July.
He also entered a guilty plea to intimidation of a witness on September 6 by making a threatening gesture and causing an investigation to be obstructed or interfered with.
Ben Cooke, 26, of Browning Close, Blacon, pleaded guilty to four charges of supplying heroin between May 18, and June 1.
Steven Sumpter, 47, of Mason Street, Chester, pleaded guilty to four counts of supplying heroin between May 21 and June 15.
Christopher Gary Simpson, 38, of Bangor-on-Dee and Gethin William Kirwan, 32, Watergate Street, Chester appeared together and pleaded guilty to seven counts of supplying heroin.
Ian Parker, 22, of Medlar Close, Chester, pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying heroin and one count of supplying crack cocaine in June and July this year.
He was released on conditional bail until he is due to be sentenced on December 17.
Kieran Forshaw-Roddy, 22, of Stamford Road, Blacon, pleaded guilty to two counts of supplying crack cocaine in June and was released on conditional bail until he is due to be sentenced on December 17.
l Anton Welsh, 32, of Halkyn Road, Hoole, pleaded not guilty to two charges of supplying crack cocaine and heroin in May, 2009.
He was released on bail and will reappear in Chester Crown Court on December 17.