A man from Chester has been jailed for three and a half years for drug offences

Rumero Campbell appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 4 May where he was sentenced to three years and six months.

The 19-year-old of no fixed abode in Chester, had earlier pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (cocaine).

The case began in November 2022, when Cheshire Constabulary identified two mobile phone numbers which were being used to facilitate the supply of illegal drugs across Chester.

The mobile numbers would regularly send out bulk text messages (also known as ‘flare messages’) locally, which is indicative of a drug supply.

Following telecommunication enquiries, officers were able to establish that the numbers belonged to Campbell and an investigation was launched.

Shortly after, at around 4.30pm on Tuesday 4 April, officers on patrol were alerted to a black BMW taxi, which had previously been linked to Campbell, travelling on the A550 nearing Chester.

The BMW was stopped using pre-emptive tactics and Campbell was arrested on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs. A graft phone was also recovered by officers.

Following his arrest, officers conducted searches at two addresses linked to Campbell in Blacon where they recovered a number of items, including a mobile phone which was found to contain messages further evidencing his involvement in the sale of illegal drugs.

Campbell was subsequently charged with being concerned in the supply of class A drugs (cocaine).

Following the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Stuart Needham said: “Thanks to the strength of our investigation, we have been able to ensure a drug dealer is now behind bars and is no longer causing misery within our community.

“Campbell thought he had the upper hand by using unregistered ‘burner’ phones to sell illegal drugs in Chester, however, this result proves that no matter how under the radar you think you may be, we are always watching.

“We are committed to removing illegal drugs from our streets, to make the town a safer place to live and visit, while also making it extremely difficult for these offenders to operate.

“We will always act on any information about drug activity provided to us and would urge anyone who believes this activity is happening near to them to get in touch.”

You can report suspected drug dealing to Cheshire Constabulary online at https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report, or by calling 101.

Information can also be reported anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or at:

https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously

Pictured - Rumero Campbell.